The Cyprus Question in USSR-Turkey Relations (1964-1979)

During the détente period of the Cold War, while USSR maintained its policy of peaceful coexistence toward the Western Bloc, Turkey adopted a multi-faceted foreign policy. Rapprochement process of Turkish-Soviet relations which was reinforced by mutual high-level visits and developed due to internal, regional and international factors, began in the second half of 1960s. Turkey maintained its close relations with the USSR until the latter’s intervention in Afghanistan in 1979. During the détente period, instead of USSR, Greece was seen as a threat by Ankara. The Cyprus Question has played an important role in the transformation of Turkey’s threat perception and normalization of Turkish-Soviet relations. This study analyses the Cyprus policies of USSR and Turkey from 1964 to 1979. It argues that Moscow and Ankara found a common ground in their Cyprus policies on their opposition to enosis, though for different reasons. The possible incorporation of Cyprus into Greece could lead to enlargement of NATO/US influence in the Eastern Mediterranean. While Moscow opposed any policy that would reinforce Washington’s control in the region, Ankara was interested in maintenance of the regional balance between Turkey and Greece. The possible union of Greece and Cyprus could also disrupt the balance in the Mediterranean in favour of Greece. Therefore, USSR and Turkey supported the independence of Cyprus and emphasized the equal rights of the two communities