Girne, (Kyrenia) North Cyprus 19 April 2008<br /> View of the old harbour of Girne.<br /> The Turkic Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), commonly called Northern Cyprus, is a de facto independent republic located in the north of Cyprus. The TRNC declared its independence in 1983, nine years after a Greek Cypriot coup attempting to annex the island to Greece triggered an invasion by Turkey. It has received diplomatic recognition only from Turkey, on which it has become dependent for economic, political and military support. The rest of the international community, including the United Nations and European Union, recognises the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus over the territory of the TRNC.<br /> Photo: Ezequiel Scagnetti
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