Key dates in history

570 B.C. Cyprus is conquered by the Egyptians.

58 B.C. Cyprus is annexed by the Roman Empire. t

Turkish troops in Cyprus

in September 1974. 1974 t In July, the Greek military junta engineers a coup aimed at setting up a pro-enosis Greek Cypriot government. In August, Turkey invades Cyprus to Roman ruins in . protect the Turkish Cypriot minority 395 and takes control of the northern third Cyprus becomes part of the Byzantine Empire. of the island. The island of Cyprus is divided along the 300-kilometer Green 688 Line, a U.N.- controlled buffer zone. Cyprus jointly ruled under Byzantine Empire and Arab Caliphate after a series of Arab invasions. 1983 The Turkish Republic of Northern 965 Cyprus is established but is recognized internationally only by Turkey. The island is restored fully to Byzantine rule.

1191 t Tassos Richard I of England Papadopoulos captures Cyprus. (left) and Rauf Denktash in 2003. 1571 Cyprus is captured

by Ottoman Empire. 2003 t Cyprus President 1878 and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Britain takes over administration of the Denktash meet for talks on a new island in a deal with Ottomans guaranteeing peace plan drawn up by U.N. Secretary British access to the Suez Canal. General Kofi Annan. They agree to allow people to cross the U.N.- 1914 patrolled buffer zone for the first time Britain takes full control of Cyprus at in decades. outbreak of World War I after Turkey allies itself with Germany and -Hungary.

1931 riot, demanding ‘enosis’: union with Greece. t 1955 Greek Cypriot nationalist group Stickers urging Greek Cypriots EOKA launches to vote ‘no’ on reunification. guerrilla attacks on

British troops and 2004 t Turkish Cypriot In April referendums on reunification, targets. Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly vote British soldier searches against the U.N. plan while the Turkish an EOKA suspect. Cypriots strongly vote in favor. On May 1, the southern part of the island joins 1958 the European Union. begin demands for partition of the island. 2005 is elected Turkish Cypriot leader.

Mehmet Ali Talat visits the Greek Cypriot side of . 2008 In March, new Cyprus president First cabinet meeting of independent Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias and Mr. Talat with leaders from both communities. meet and agree to formally relaunch

1960 t peace talks in three months. On April 3, the crossing opens. Cyprus gains independence from Britain. t 1963 Inter-communal violence breaks out be- tween Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. 1964 The U.N. establishes a peacekeeping force, separates Nicosia into Greek and Turkish Cypriot sectors. Queueing at the Ledra Street crossing.