Greek–Turkish relations regime, there were periodic crises with Turkey, which suspected that the Greek regime was planning a pro-unification coup in Cyprus. A 1971 Turkish law nationalized religious high schools, and closed the Halki seminary on Istanbul's Heybeli Island which had trained Greek Orthodox clergy since 1844. On July 15, 1974, a band of Greek Cypriot nationalists formed EOKA B, advocating Enosis (Union) with Greece and, backed by the Greek military junta in Athens, staged a coup against the Cypriot President and Archbishop Makarios. An ex-EOKA man, Nikos Sampson was appointed President. On July 20, Turkey—using its guarantor status arising from the
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