2022-2023 Cyprus Country Report
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CYPRUSCOUNTRY REPORT <strong>2022</strong><br />
FROM FOREIGN RULE TO THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS<br />
Colonised by the ancient Greeks in 1400 BC, <strong>Cyprus</strong> has had a succession of foreign<br />
rulers through the centuries, including the Romans, the Byzantines, the Franks<br />
and the Venetians, whose 300-year rule ended in 1571 when the island became part<br />
of the Ottoman Empire. After almost 250 years of Ottoman rule, <strong>Cyprus</strong> was placed<br />
under British administration in 1878. The island finally became independent in 1960<br />
after a protracted and violent struggle against the colonial power between 1955 and<br />
1959. After lengthy negotiations, Britain, Greece and Turkey drafted a constitution for<br />
the new state, along with Treaties of Guarantee and Alliance. The Republic of <strong>Cyprus</strong><br />
came into being in August 1960. The constitution and the two accompanying treaties<br />
established a complex power-sharing structure between Greek and Turkish Cypriots,<br />
which precluded partition of the island, or union with Greece or Turkey. Both countries,<br />
along with Britain, were also designated guarantors of the independence, territorial<br />
integrity and security of the Republic. The constitution<br />
provided for a Greek Cypriot president and a Turkish<br />
Cypriot vice president, while the Turkish Cypriot<br />
community was granted three ministerial positions out<br />
of a total of 10, and 15 out of the 50 seats in the House of<br />
Representatives. After intercommunal strife between<br />
the two communities in 1963, Turkish Cypriots vacated<br />
their seats. Since then, ministerial positions have<br />
increased to 11, all duties carried out by Greek Cypriots<br />
and the number of parliamentary seats has extended to<br />
80 of which 30% (24) are allocated to Turkish Cypriots<br />
as per the constitution but remain vacant.<br />
Nicos Anastasiades<br />
President of the<br />
Republic of <strong>Cyprus</strong><br />
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS<br />
President of the Republic of <strong>Cyprus</strong> - Nicos Anastasiades<br />
Minister of Foreign Affairs - Ioannis Kasoulides<br />
Minister of Finance - Constantinos Petrides<br />
Minister of Interior – Nicos Nouris<br />
Minister of Defence – Charalambos Petrides<br />
Minister of Health - Michalis Hadjipantelas<br />
Minister of Education, Sport and Youth – Prodromos Prodromou<br />
Minister of Transport, Communications and Works – Yiannis Karousos<br />
Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry – Natasa Pilides<br />
Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment - Costas Kadis<br />
Minister of Labour and Social Insurance - Kyriakos I. Koushos<br />
Minister of Justice and Public Order – Stephie Dracos<br />
Government Spokesman – Marios Pelekanos<br />
Shipping Deputy Minister – Vassilis Demetriades<br />
Deputy Minister of Tourism – Savvas Perdios<br />
Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy – Kyriacos Kokkinos<br />
Deputy Minister of Social Welfare – Anastasia Anthousi<br />
Deputy Minister of Culture – Yiannis Toumazis<br />
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