The reality

It's true that Cyprus, like many regions in the Mediterranean, has a long and complex history that reflects various influences, including Greek culture. Cyprus was heavily influenced by Hellenistic civilization, especially after it became part of the Ptolemaic Kingdom following the death of Alexander the Great. Greek culture, language, and traditions were deeply embedded in Cyprus from this period onward.

Monuments, ruins, and archaeological sites on the island — like the ancient city of Kourion, the sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, and others — reflect this strong Greek influence. Even before the Hellenistic period, there were Mycenaean Greeks who settled in Cyprus as early as 1400 BCE, which further ties Cyprus to Greek civilization.

However, the history of Cyprus is not exclusively Greek. Over centuries, Cyprus was ruled by various empires, including the Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Ottomans, and, more recently, the British. Each left their mark on the island's culture, architecture, and society. The Ottoman Empire, for example, ruled Cyprus from 1571 until 1878, and the island's Turkish population dates back to this period.

As for modern Turkey, it does indeed have many ancient Greek monuments and ruins. This is because what is now modern-day Turkey was once home to many ancient Greek cities and civilizations, such as Ephesus, Pergamon, and Miletus. However, the presence of Greek monuments in Turkey is a reflection of the historical period when these regions were part of the Greek world, not necessarily a political or cultural claim about modern Turkey.