Overview
By legend the birthplace of the ancient Greek goddess of love Aphrodite, Cyprus’s modern history has, in contrast, been dominated by enmity between its Greek and Turkish inhabitants.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded the north in response to a military coup on the island which was backed by the Athens government.
In 1974 the island was effectively partitioned with the northern third inhabited by Turkish Cypriots and the southern two-thirds by Greek Cypriots. The UN peacekeeping forces estimate that 165,000 Greek Cypriots fled or were expelled from the north, and 45,000 Turkish Cypriots from the south, although the parties to the conflict say the figures are higher.
The UN Buffer Zone, commonly called the “Green Line”, dividing the two parts from Morphou through Nicosia to Famagusta, is patrolled by United Nations troops.
The UN drew up the Green Line as a ceasefire demarcation line in 1963 after intervening to end communal tension. It became impassable after the Turkish invasion of 1974, except for designated crossing points.
At a glance
- Politics: Nicos Anastasiades won the presidency in 2013 promising to secure a financial bailout. Pro-independence Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu came to power in 2010
- Economy: Cyprus has one of the eurozone’s smallest economies. Its large banking sector has suffered from exposure to Greek debt
- International: Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 as a divided island. The status of Northern Cyprus as a separate entity is recognised only by Turkey
North declares independence
In 1983 the Turkish-held area declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The status of Northern Cyprus as a separate entity is recognised only by Turkey, which keeps around 30,000 troops in the north of the island.
The prospect of EU enlargement concentrated minds in the search for a settlement. UN-sponsored negotiations continued throughout 2002 and a peace plan was tabled. Soon afterwards the EU invited Cyprus to become a member.
But hopes that the island could join united were dashed when leaders of the Turkish and Greek communities failed to agree to the UN plan by the March 2003 deadline.
In the months that followed travel restrictions were eased, enabling people to cross the border for the first time in nearly 30 years. But hopes of larger progress continued to be disappointed.
Hopes on hold
A revised UN reunification plan was put to both communities in April 2004. Turkish Cypriots endorsed the plan but Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly rejected it, and so the island remained divided as it joined the EU in May.
Hopes rose again briefly after the election of leftwing Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who agreed to talks on reunification with the new Communist president of Cyprus, Demetris Christophas, in 2008. The victory of nationalists at parliamentary and later presidential elections in the north over the following two years brought talks to an end.
After independence from Britain in 1960, Cyprus successfully diversified its largely agrarian economy into one based on services – including a large tourism sector – and light manufacturing. More recently it has also developed into an important financial hub, especially for investors from Russia and Eastern Europe.
But in 2012, Cyprus’ economy was badly hit by its extensive exposure to recession-hit economy of Greece, and the country was forced to seek emergency help from international lenders.
Facts
- Full name: Republic of Cyprus
- Population: 879,000 (combined) (UN, 2010)
- Capital: Nicosia (Lefkosia to Greek Cypriots, Lefkosa to Turkish Cypriots
- Area (combined): 9,251 sq km (3,572 sq miles)
- Major languages: Greek, Turkish
- Major religions: Christianity, Islam
- Life expectancy: 78 years (men), 82 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: Euro from 1 January 2008; Turkish lira used in north
- Main exports: Clothing, potatoes, cigarettes, pharmaceuticals
- GNI per capita: US $29,430 (World Bank, 2010)
- Internet domain: .cy
- International dialling code: +357
Leaders
President: Nicos Anastasiades
Conservative Democratic Rally candidate Nicos Anastasiades won the February 2013 run-off election by one of the biggest margins for many years, promising to do whatever was needed to secure a financial rescue package.
He pledged to hammer out a quick deal with foreign lenders and bring Cyprus closer to Europe, in a shift from the policies of the outgoing Communist government that first sought aid from Russia before turning to the European Union.
He quickly reached agreement with the European Union and IMF on a 10bn-euro bank bailout, which was equally-quickly amended to safeguard smaller bank accounts after parliament rejected the deal. Finance Minister Michael Sarris felt obliged to resign, and the country continues to face deep recession.
In contrast with the policies of his predecessor who objected to any links with NATO, Mr Anastasiades says one of his first tasks would be to apply for Cypriot membership of the NATO-affiliated Partnership for Peace.
Mr Anastasiades, aged 66 when he was elected, is a lawyer known for his no-nonsense style and impressive access to important European policymakers like German Chancellor and fellow-conservative Angela Merkel.
Eight months of talks on a bailout package turned Cyprus into a big headache for the euro zone, triggering fears of a financial collapse that could reignite the bloc’s debt crisis.
Cyprus had been shut out of international capital markets for almost two years, with the outgoing administration resorting to heavy borrowing from state-owned corporations to pay public sector salaries.
Turkish Cypriot leader: Dervis Eroglu
Dervis Eroglu beat the pro-unity incumbent Mehmet Ali Talat in the April 2010 presidential election in the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. He was the candidate of the nationalist, pro-independence National Unity Party, which he has led with a two-year break since 1983.
He took over the party and premiership from veteran Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash when the latter was elected president of the north, and served three terms as prime minister until winning the presidency.
His victory in the parliamentary elections in April 2009 marked the return of the previously-dominant nationalists in the north after their eclipse in the 2003 parliamentary and 2005 presidential elections.
The failure of Greek Cypriots to support the 2004 UN-backed Annan Plan for reunification began the gradual disillusion of Turkish Cypriot voters with their pro-unity authorities.
Born in Famagusta in southeastern Cyprus in 1938, Mr Eroglu studied medicine in Turkey.
Media
The Cypriot media mirror the island’s political division, with the Turkish-controlled zone in the north operating its own press and broadcasters.
State-run radio and TV compete with private operators, and relays of Greek and Turkish stations are on air across the island.
The Turkish Cypriot authorities are hostile to the independent press, and journalists can face arrest under the criminal code, says Freedom House.
There were more than 656,000 internet users by June 2012 (Internetworldstats.com).
The Press
- Cyprus Mail – English-language daily
- The Cyprus Weekly – English-language
- Politis – Greek-language daily
- Simerini – Greek-language daily
- Kibris Gazete (northern Cyprus) – Turkish-language
Television
- Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) – public, operates RIK 1, RIK 2
- Bayrak Radio-TV (northern Cyprus) – operates BRT 1, BRT 2
- Sigma TV – private
Radio
- Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) – public, operates Radio 1 (in Greek), Radio 2 (in English, Turkish, Armenian), Radio 3 (in Greek) and Love Radio
- Radio Proto – private FM network
- Astra 92.8 – private FM network
- Bayrak Radio-TV (northern Cyprus) – operates Bayrak Radio 1 (in Turkish), Bayrak International (in English), Bayrak FM and Bayrak Klasik
News agencies
- Cyprus News Agency – “semi-governmental” news agency
- TAK (northern Cyprus)
Timeline
A chronology of key events:
1914 – Cyprus annexed by Britain, after more than 300 years of Ottoman rule. Britain had occupied the island in 1878, although it remained nominally under Ottoman sovereignty.
1925 – Becomes crown colony.
1955 – Greek Cypriots begin guerrilla war against British rule. The guerrilla movement, the National Organisation of Cypriot Combatants (EOKA), wants enosis (unification) with Greece. British authorities arm a paramilitary police force made up of Turkish Cypriots.
1956 – Archbishop Makarios, head of enosis campaign, deported to the Seychelles.
1959 – Archbishop Makarios returns and is elected president.
Independence
1960 – Cyprus gains independence after Greek and Turkish communities reach agreement on a constitution. Treaty of Guarantee gives Britain, Greece and Turkey the right to intervene. Britain retains sovereignty over two military bases.
1963 – Makarios raises Turkish fears by proposing constitutional changes which would abrogate power-sharing arrangements. Inter-communal violence erupts. Turkish side withdraws from power-sharing.
1964 – United Nations peacekeeping force set up. Turkish Cypriots withdraw into defended enclaves.
1974 – Military junta in Greece backs coup against Makarios, who escapes. Within days Turkish troops land in north. Greek Cypriots flee their homes.
Coup collapses. Turkish forces occupy third of the island, enforce partition between north and south roughly along the “Green Line” ceasefire line drawn up by UN forces in 1963. About 165,000 Greek Cypriots flee or are driven from the Turkish-occupied north, and about 45,000 Turkish Cypriots leave the south for the north.
The UN Security Council unanimously passes a resolution calling on Turkey to withdraw its troops from Cyrpus. Turkey refuses to do so, despite repeated UN Security Council resolutions making the same demand over the following decades.
Glafcos Clerides, president of the House of Representatives, becomes president until Makarios returns in December.
1975 – Turkish Cypriots establish independent administration, with Rauf Denktash as president. Denktash and Clerides agree population exchange.
1977 – Makarios dies. Succeeded by Spyros Kyprianou.
1980 – UN-sponsored peace talks resume.
1983 – Denktash suspends talks and proclaims Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). It is recognised only by Turkey.
1985 – No agreement at talks between Denktash and Kyprianou.
1988 – Georgios Vassiliou elected Greek Cypriot president.
1989 – Vassiliou-Denktash talks abandoned.
1992 – Talks resume and collapse again.
1993 – Glafcos Clerides replaces Vassiliou as president.
1994 – European Court of Justice rules that a list of goods, including fruit and vegetables, are not eligible for preferential treatment when exported by the Turkish Cypriot community directly to the EU.
1996 – Increased tension, violence along buffer zone in which two Greek Cypriot men were killed.
1997 – Failure of UN-mediated peace talks between Clerides and Denktash.
1998 – Clerides re-elected to a second term by narrow margin.
EU lists Cyprus as potential member.
Clerides’ government threatens to install Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles. Turkey threatens military action. Clerides decides not to deploy the missiles.
2001 June – UN Security Council renews its 36-year mission. Some 2,400 peacekeepers patrol the buffer zone between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
2001 July – Dozens of police officers are injured as protesters attack a British military base at Akrotiri over plans to build telecommunications masts alleged to pose a health hazard.
2001 November – Turkey threatens to annex the north if the Republic of Cyprus joins the EU. It says the move, coming before any reunification settlement, would violate the 1960 treaty.
2002 January – Clerides and Denktash begin UN-sponsored negotiations. Minds are concentrated by EU membership aspirations.
2002 November – UN Secretary General Kofi Annan presents a comprehensive peace plan for Cyprus which envisages a federation with two constituent parts, presided over by a rotating presidency.
2002 December – EU summit in Copenhagen invites Cyprus to join in 2004 provided the two communities agree to UN plan by early spring 2003. Without reunification, only the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot part of the island will gain membership.
2003 February – Tassos Papadopoulos defeats Clerides in presidential elections.
2003 March – UN deadline for agreement on reunification plan passes. Secretary-General Kofi Annan acknowledges that the plan has failed.
2003 April – Turkish and Greek Cypriots cross island’s dividing “green line” for first time in 30 years after Turkish Cypriot authorities ease border restrictions.
2004 April – Twin referendums on whether to accept UN reunification plan in last-minute bid to achieve united EU entry. Plan is endorsed by Turkish Cypriots but overwhelmingly rejected by Greek Cypriots.
Rauf Denktash
Turkish Cypriot leader stood down after decades in politics
EU accession
2004 May – Cyprus is one of 10 new states to join the EU, but does so as a divided island.
2004 December – Turkey agrees to extend its EU customs union agreement to 10 new member states, including Cyprus. The Turkish prime minister says this does not amount to a formal recognition of Cyprus.
2005 April – Mehmet Ali Talat elected Turkish Cypriot president.
2005 May – Greek Cypriot and UN officials begin exploratory talks on prospects for new diplomatic peace effort.
2005 August – Cypriot airliner crashes near Athens, Greece, killing all 121 passengers and crew. It is the island’s worst peacetime disaster.
2006 May – Greek Cypriots back ruling coalition in parliamentary elections, endorsing its opposition to reunification efforts.
2006 July – UN-sponsored talks between President Papadopolous and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agree a series of confidence-building measures and contacts between the two communities.
2006 November – EU-Turkey talks on Cyprus break down over Turkey’s continued refusal to open its ports to traffic from the Republic of Cyprus. Turkey says the EU should end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community before Turkey opens its ports.
2007 January-March – Greek and Turkish Cypriots demolish barriers dividing the old city of Nicosia. The moves are seen as paving the way for another official crossing point on what used to be a key commercial thoroughfare.
2008 January – Cyprus adopts the euro.
New talks
2008 February – Left-wing leader Demetris Christofias wins presidential elections. Promises to work towards reunification.
2008 March – President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agree to start formal talks on reunification.
2008 April – Symbolic Ledra Street crossing between the Turkish and Greek sectors of Nicosia reopened for first time since 1964.
2008 September – Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders launch intensive negotiations aimed at ending the division of the island.
2009 April – Right-wing nationalist National Unity Party wins parliamentary elections in northern Cyprus, hampering peace talks. Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat remains in office, but in a weakened position. Reunification talks continue through 2009, with little progress.
2010 January – President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat resume talks on reunification in downbeat mood, no progress made.
2010 April – Dervis Eroglu, who favours independence, wins the Turkish north’s leadership contest, beating pro-unity incumbent Mehmet Ali Talat.
2010 May – Re-unification talks resume with a new hardliner representing the Turkish north.
2011 May – Parliamentary polls. The the main rightwing opposition party DISY wins by a narrow margin.
2011 July – Navy chief Andreas Ioannides and 12 others die when people when impounded Iranian containers of explosives blow up at the main naval base and the country’s main power plant. The defence minister, military chief and foreign minister resign over the incident, which officials say occurred after a bush fire ignited the explosives.
Credit rating agency Moody’s cuts Cyprus’s rating by two notches from A2 to BAA1, increasing risk of Cyprus requiring an EU bailout. Power shortages caused by the naval base blast knocking out the country’s main power station, plus significant Greek debt, make financial reform difficult. Fitch cut Cyprus’s rating to A- from AA- in May over Greek debt fears.
2011 August – President Christofias appoints a new cabinet with economist Kikis Kazamias from his AKEL party as finance minister. The previous cabinet resigned after the power shortages prompted the departure from the coalition government of the centre-right party DIKO.
2011 September – Cyprus begins exploratory drilling for oil and gas, prompting a diplomatic row with Turkey, which responds by sending an oil vessel to waters off northern Cyprus.
2011 October – President Christofias rejects the findings of an official report accusing him of “personal responsibility” for the July naval base blast on the grounds that he had been allegedly aware of the risk.
2012 April – The UN cancels plans for a Cyprus conference, citing lack of progress on any of the substantial differences between the two sides.
Turkey’s Turkish Petroleum Corporation begins drilling for oil and gas onshore in northern Cyprus despite protests from the Cypriot government that the action is illegal.
2012 June – Cyprus appeals to European Union for financial assistance to shore up its banks, which are heavily exposed to the stumbling Greek economy.
2012 November – Cyprus says it has reached an “in-principle agreement” with the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the IMF on the terms of a bailout deal. The actual size of the bailout is to be determined following an investigation into the country’s ailing banks.
2013 February – Democratic Rally conservative candidate Nicos Anastasiades beats AKEL Communist party candidate Stavros Malas by a large margin in the presidential election run-off and succeeds Demetris Christofias as president.
2013 March – President Anastasiades secures 10bn-euro bank bailout from the European Union and IMF. Laiki Bank, the country’s second-biggest, is wound down and deposit-holders with more than 100,000 euros will face big losses. Smaller deposits guaranteed following parliamentary rejection of an earlier deal.
Court jails Lebanese Hezbollah member for three years for plotting to attack Israelis on the island. He was arrested days before a bomb exploded on a bus carrying Israeli tourists in Bulgaria, killing six people. Israel and Bulgaria blamed Hezbollah for the bus blast. The Lebanese armed group has denied the accusations.
2013 April – Finance Minister Michael Sarris resigns, citing an official investigation into the mishandling of the bailout. Until 2012 he was head of the country’s second-largest bank, Laiki, the performance of which was a major factor in the near collapse of the banking system.
BBC
