The Mediterranean island of Cyprus, the subject of marathon talks which collapsed early on Friday, has been divided on ethnic lines since Turkish troops invaded its northern third in 1974.
The internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus controls only the southern part of the island, inhabited by Greek Cypriots.
The northern third, inhabited by Turkish Cypriots, is under the control of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognised only by Ankara.
Here are key dates:
- Division -
On July 15, 1974, members of the Greek Cypriot National Guard overthrow president Archbishop Makarios in a coup sponsored by the military junta then ruling Greece.
On July 20, Turkey, invoking a 1959 agreement with Greece and Cyprus's then colonial ruler Britain, invades the north of the island saying its aim is to protect the Turkish Cypriot minority.
Three days later, the fall of both the regime in Athens and the collapse of the coup in Nicosia leads to an interim administration and the eventual restoration of Makarios.
On July 30, Turkey, Greece and Britain meet in Geneva and set up a "security zone" patrolled by UN troops.
- Turkish republic in north -
On February 13, 1975, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash proclaims a separate federal state and becomes its president.
On November 15, 1983, proclamation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which to this day is recognised only by Turkey.
- Crossing the Green Line -
In April 2003, as peace talks falter, Turkish Cypriot authorities allow Greek Cypriots to visit the north and Turkish Cypriots to travel in the other direction across the UN-patrolled "Green Line" that divides the island.
- Greek Cypriots reject UN plan -
On April 24, 2004, Greek Cypriot voters overwhelmingly reject a UN reunification plan approved by Turkish Cypriots in a simultaneous referendum.
On May 1, Cyprus joins the European Union still a divided island.
On August 23, formal trade between the two communities resumes for the first time for 30 years but tightly controlled by the so-called Green Line regulation.
- Marathon talks end in collapse -
On September 3, 2008, Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Mehmet Ali Talat launch intensive talks under UN auspices ending four years of deadlock.
In 2012, stalled negotiations are suspended by the Turkish Cypriots, in reaction to Cyprus taking over the rotating EU presidency.
New negotiations fail in 2014, then restart in May 2015.
On June 28, 2017 a peace conference opens in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, the culmination of more than two years of negotiations between Christofias's successor Nicos Anastasiades and Talat's successor Mustafa Akinci.
On July 7, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres announces that despite his repeated interventions, the marathon talks have collapsed without a deal.
The Mediterranean island of Cyprus, the subject of marathon talks which collapsed early on Friday, has been divided on ethnic lines since Turkish troops invaded its northern third in 1974.
The internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus controls only the southern part of the island, inhabited by Greek Cypriots.
The northern third, inhabited by Turkish Cypriots, is under the control of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognised only by Ankara.
Here are key dates:
– Division –
On July 15, 1974, members of the Greek Cypriot National Guard overthrow president Archbishop Makarios in a coup sponsored by the military junta then ruling Greece.
On July 20, Turkey, invoking a 1959 agreement with Greece and Cyprus’s then colonial ruler Britain, invades the north of the island saying its aim is to protect the Turkish Cypriot minority.
Three days later, the fall of both the regime in Athens and the collapse of the coup in Nicosia leads to an interim administration and the eventual restoration of Makarios.
On July 30, Turkey, Greece and Britain meet in Geneva and set up a “security zone” patrolled by UN troops.
– Turkish republic in north –
On February 13, 1975, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash proclaims a separate federal state and becomes its president.
On November 15, 1983, proclamation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which to this day is recognised only by Turkey.
– Crossing the Green Line –
In April 2003, as peace talks falter, Turkish Cypriot authorities allow Greek Cypriots to visit the north and Turkish Cypriots to travel in the other direction across the UN-patrolled “Green Line” that divides the island.
– Greek Cypriots reject UN plan –
On April 24, 2004, Greek Cypriot voters overwhelmingly reject a UN reunification plan approved by Turkish Cypriots in a simultaneous referendum.
On May 1, Cyprus joins the European Union still a divided island.
On August 23, formal trade between the two communities resumes for the first time for 30 years but tightly controlled by the so-called Green Line regulation.
– Marathon talks end in collapse –
On September 3, 2008, Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Mehmet Ali Talat launch intensive talks under UN auspices ending four years of deadlock.
In 2012, stalled negotiations are suspended by the Turkish Cypriots, in reaction to Cyprus taking over the rotating EU presidency.
New negotiations fail in 2014, then restart in May 2015.
On June 28, 2017 a peace conference opens in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, the culmination of more than two years of negotiations between Christofias’s successor Nicos Anastasiades and Talat’s successor Mustafa Akinci.
On July 7, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres announces that despite his repeated interventions, the marathon talks have collapsed without a deal.
