Military history of the Republic of Turkey in foreign relations and join NATO on February 18, 1952. Following NATO membership, Turkey initiated a comprehensive modernization program for its Armed Forces. In July 1974, the Turkish Armed Forces intervened against a coup in Cyprus, organized by EOKA-B and led by Nikos Sampson who ousted the democratically elected Cypriot President Archbishop Makarios III in order to establish Enosis (Union) between Greece and Cyprus. The coup was backed by the Greek military junta in Athens. On 20 July 1974 the Turkish Army invaded the island from the north, landing in Pente Mili beach, near Keryneia. The operations (named Attila I
Cyprus–Malta relations Cyprus–Malta relations Cypriot–Maltese relations are foreign relations between Cyprus and Malta. The two countries share membership of the European Union and Commonwealth of Nations. Cyprus is represented to Malta through its accredited embassy in Rome (Italy). Malta is represented to Cyprus through its accredited embassy in Athens (Greece). The political relations are close due to similarities between the 2 countries (on historical, economical and regional). They are the two island countries of the Mediterranean Sea. By May 2004, the two island countries entered the European Union. The Knights of St John had a long history on Cyprus before retreating to