Cyprus High-Level Agreements of 1977 & 1979

High-Level Agreement of 12 February 1977 / The 10-Point Agreement of 19 May 1979

High-Level Agreement of 12 February 1977

The following is the text of the agreement between the then President of the Republic, Archbishop Makarios, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Denktash, concluded on 12 February 1977 during a meeting under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General.


The text of the agreed instructions (guidelines) reads as follows:

1. We are seeking an independent, non-aligned, bi-communal Federal Republic.
2. The territory under the administration of each community should be discussed in the light of economic viability or productivity and land ownership.
3. Questions of principles like freedom of movement, freedom of settlement, the right of property and other specific matters, are open for discussion, taking into consideration the fundamental basis of a bi-communal federal system and certain practical difficulties which may arise for the Turkish Cypriot Community.
4. The powers and functions of the central federal government will be such as to safeguard the unity of the country having regard to the bi-communal character of the State. 

The 10-Point Agreement of 19 May 1979

Following is the text of the agreement between the then President of the Republic, Mr. Kyprianou, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Denktash, concluded on 19 May during a meeting under the auspices of the U.N. Secretary-General, Dr. Waldheim:

1. It was agreed to resume the intercommunal talks on 15 June 1979.
2. The basis for the talks will be the Makarios-Denktash guidelines of 12 February 1977 and the U.N. resolutions relevant to the Cyprus question.
3. There should be respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of all citizens of the Republic.
4. The talks will deal with all territorial and constitutional aspects.
5. Priority will be given to reaching agreement of the resettlement of Varosha under U.N. auspices simultaneously with the beginning of the consideration by the interlocutors of the constitutional and territorial aspects of a comprehensive settlement. After agreement on Varosha has been reached it will be implemented without awaiting the outcome of the discussion on other aspects of the Cyprus problem.
6. It was agreed to abstain from any action which might jeopardize the outcome of the talks, and special importance will be given to initial practical measures by both sides to promote goodwill, mutual confidence and the return to normal conditions.
7. The demilitarization of the Republic of Cyprus is envisaged, and matters relating thereto will be discussed.
8. The independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic should be adequately guaranteed against union in whole or in part with any other country and against any form of partition or secession.
9. The intercommunal talks will be carried out in a continuing and sustained manner, avoiding any delay.
10. The intercommunal talks will take place in Nicosia.