NICOSIA - Here are key dates in the 40-year division of Cyprus, the result of a 1974 Turkish invasion in response to an Athens-backed coup aimed at joining the Mediterranean island to Greece.
The Republic of Cyprus in the south is recognised by the international community and is a member of the European Union, while the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey.
- 1974: The island is divided -
On July 15, Greek Cypriot members of the National Guard oust president Archbishop Makarios in a coup backed by Athens, where a military junta has been in power since 1967.
On July 20, Turkey invokes a 1959 agreement with Greece and Cyprus's former colonial ruler Britain, and invades the north of the island to protect Turkish Cypriots, who comprise less than 20 percent of the population.
Three days later, the collapse of the military regime in Athens snuffs out the coup in Nicosia and leads to the restoration of president Makarios.
Turkish troops continue to occupy more ground however, in particular the eastern region around Famagusta, and by mid-August they control roughly 37 percent of the island.
On July 30, Turkey, Greece and Britain establish a "security zone" manned by UN troops, recognising the existence of two autonomous administrations on Cyprus.
Makarios returns to Nicosia in December to assume the post of president, while Greek Cypriot authorities put the toll from fighting at 3,000 dead, 1,400 missing and tens of thousands of refugees.
- 1983: Proclamation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus -
On November 15, the island is formally divided with the proclamation by Rauf Denktash of the TRNC. It covers 38 percent of the island and is to this day recognised only by Turkey.
Denktash had established a "federated state" in northern Cyprus in 1975 based on the territory controlled by Turkish troops.
Since then, authorities on both sides have attended UN-sponsored reunification talks, but all attempts to reunify the island have failed so far.
2003 - Crossing points open -
On April 23, the "Green Line" that divides Cyprus was opened to Greek and Turkish Cypriots following a decision by leaders in the north. Hundreds of thousands of people cross back and forth for visits, and trade in goods between the two sides is re-established in 2004.
2004 - Republic of Cyprus rejects UN plan, joins EU -
On April 24, more than 75 percent of Greek Cypriots consulted via referendum reject a UN reunification plan while almost 65 percent of Turkish Cypriots approve it.
On May 1, Republic of Cyprus joins the EU.
- 2005: The EU opens membership talks with Turkey -
On October 4, membership talks begin between the EU and Turkey, which has sought to join the union since 1999. Ankara faces stiff opposition however from EU heavyweights France and Germany. Other EU members are also wary of admitting a large Muslim-majority country.
To date, only 14 of 35 membership chapters that must be covered have even been opened, and just one finalised.
- 2008-2015: Laborious negotiations -
On September 3, 2008, Greek Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat launch intensive talks under UN auspices after four years of deadlock.
But despite regular meetings between Christofias and Talat, and then Talat's successor Dervis Eroglu, little progress is made.
In 2012, the stalled negotiations are suspended by the Turkish Cypriot side after Cyprus assumes the rotating EU presidency.
In February 2014, Anastasiades and Eroglu get the talks back on track, but they are suspended again in October by the Greek side in protest over Turkish oil prospection in Cyprus waters.
On May 11, 2015, Anastasiades and newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci agree to resume UN-brokered peace talks.
AFP
