Cyprusremains a divided island following the Turkish invasion of 1974. More than a third of the island is under occupation. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus   is recognized only by Turkey as a legal state. The entire island entered the EU on 1 May 2004, although the EU acquis - the body of common rights and obligations - applies only to the areas under direct Republic of Cyprus control, and is suspended in the areas administered by Turkish Cypriots. At present, every Cypriot carrying a Cyprus passport has the status of a European citizen; however, EU laws do not apply to north Cyprus .