Turkish Cyprus barrier - Definition and Overview

The Turkish Cyprus barrier （UN Buffer Zone on Cyprus）is a 300 km (187 mile) separation barrier along the 1974 Green Line (or ceasefire line) between the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and The Republic of Cyprus. Constructed by Turkey, it served to separate the northern 37% (mostly inhabited by ethnic Turkish Cypriots) of Cyprus, occupied by Turkish troops since 1974, from the southern part (mostly inhabited by ethnic Greek Cypriots), and splits the capital Nicosia in two.

The barrier itself consists of concrete walls, barbed wire fencing, watch-towers, anti-tank ditches, and minefields. Parts of it are patrolled by United Nations peacekeeping forces.

In April 2003 the Turkish Cypriot government significantly eased travel restrictions across the barrier, which had consisted of a near 30 year ban on crossings. Since Cyprus' joining of the European Union (de facto only the southern part joined), travel restrictions have been abolished for all EU citizens.

See also

• Separation barrier
• Cyprus dispute

External links

• Associated Press: Barriers Slowly Eroding for Cyprus (http://www.macon.com/mld/state/news/nation/7925117.htm)