The proposal for reduction of military conscription in Cyprus has been suggested by different Cypriot politicians over the years and still has support today. Conscription in Cyprus was in force long before the Turkish invasion and subsequent occupation. Turkey occupies 36.2% of the island and British Sovereign bases occupy 3%. Conscription in Cyprus was introduced in 1974 to defend the island from future military threats from Turkey which occupied and still controls approximately one third of Cyprus. However, supporters of reduction of military conscription propose a professional army personnel, trained specially for the preservation of peace and stability of the island. The main political parties which support this proposal are Democratic Rally and Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL), together with a number of pressure and activist groups.