German broadcaster Deutsche Welle reports on Cyprus:
Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, but next year marks a much older and more difficult anniversary — 40 years since the island was divided into Greek and Turkish territories.
The division began in 1974, after a coup in Cyprus backed by the Greek military junta was followed by a Turkish military intervention. Since then, the island has been split into the Republic of Cyprus in the south, administered by Greek Cypriots, and the Turkish-controlled north, which is recognized only by Turkey.
When the Republic of Cyprus joined the EU, many hoped that membership would help bridge the gap between the two communities. The idea was that closer ties to Europe could create conditions for reunification and ease decades of political tension.
Four decades later, the border still runs through the island, marked most visibly by the United Nations buffer zone in Nicosia, the world’s last divided capital. While crossings between the two sides have become easier since 2003, a full political settlement remains elusive.