Cyprus: the history
Chronology
(source: UNFICYP)
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16 August 1960
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The Republic of Cyprus becomes an independent State.
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21 December 1963
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Outbreak of inter-communal violence.
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04 March 1964
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The UN Security Council adopts resolution 186 (1964), recommending the establishment of UNFICYP.
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13 March 1964
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The first international peacekeeping troops arrive in Cyprus.
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14 April 1964
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UNCIVPOL becomes operational in Cyprus.
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04 March 1966
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The Secretary-General instructs his Special Representative in Cyprus to employ his good offices with the parties to encourage discussions: the Mission of Good Offices is launched.
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22 December 1967
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Security Council adopts resolution 244 (1967), which recognizes the enlargement of UNFICYP’s mandate to include supervision of disarmament and arrangements to safeguard internal security.
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15 July 1974
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The National Guard, under the direction of Greek officers, stages a coup d’état against the Cyprus Government.
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20 July 1974
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Turkey launches an extensive military operation in Cyprus.
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23 July 1974
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Fighting is especially fierce in the vicinity of Nicosia International Airport; UNFICYP declares the area a United Nations Protected Area.
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14 August 1974
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Three Austrian peacekeepers are killed while negotiating a ceasefire near Goshi.
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16 August 1974
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Turkish Forces declare a ceasefire; UNFICYP marks the ceasefire lines and takes on responsibility of patrolling the buffer zone between them.
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15 November 1983
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A Turkish Cypriot proclamation of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (considered legally invalid by the Security Council).
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01 May 1989
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UNFICYP reaches an agreement with both sides to unman positions and cease patrols in certain sensitive locations in Nicosia.
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01 December 2001
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Leaders of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities agree to resume face-to-face talks on the Cyprus problem.
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23 April 2003
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The first crossing points between the north and the south opened.
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24 April 2004
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Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots vote in an island-wide referendum on a proposed Cyprus settlement named the “Annan Plan” after the then UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan. Turkish Cypriots voted 64% in support of the plan while Greek Cypriots voted 75% against it.
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01 May 2004
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The Republic of Cyprus joins the European Union as a divided island.
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01 January 2005
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UNFICYP’s new “Force 860” concept of operations goes into effect, reducing the number of military troops to 860 from 1,300. UNPOL officers serving with UNFICYP are increased in number from 45 to 69.
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08 July 2006
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Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Ibrahim Gambari brokers and an agreement between the leaders of
the two communities, H.E. Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos and H.E. Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat in the presence of SRSG Michael Moller.
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05 September 2007
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SRSG and Chief of Mission, Michael Moller convenes with the leaders from the two communities to discuss the implementation of the 8 July agreement.
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21 March 2008
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Following elections, the new Greek Cypriot leader, H.E. Mr. Demetris Christofias, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, H.E. Mehmet Ali Talat, agree to restart negotiations and open a crossing point at Ledra Street.
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03 April 2008
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The crossing point at Ledra Street opens.
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23 May 2008
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Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat reaffirm their commitment to a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions.
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1 July 2008
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At their third official meeting, Christofias and Talat reach agreement in principle on the issues of single sovereignty and citizenship for a future united Cyprus.
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