CHRONOLOGY-Key events in Cyprus
(Reuters) - Greek Cypriots razed to the ground a barrier symbolizing Cyprus's decades-old division and challenged Turkey to respond by withdrawing its troops from the area.
Following is a chronology of key events in Cypriot history since independence.
1960 - Britain grants independence to Cyprus under a power-sharing constitution between Turkish and Greek Cypriots.
1964 - Power sharing crumbles amid fighting; government formed without Turkish Cypriots and recognized worldwide as only legitimate authority on island. U.N. peacekeeping force (UNFICYP) established.
1974 - Military junta in Greece backs July coup against Makarios. Militants advocating union with Greece overthrow him. Five days later Turkish troops invade Cyprus.
-- Turkey and Greece come close to war. The coup quickly collapses as does the Athens junta. Turkish forces occupy the northern third of the island.
1983 - Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash declares a breakaway state in northern Cyprus. Only Turkey recognizes it.
1989 - U.N. brokers agreement with Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides for partial military disengagement of sentry posts in Nicosia and its suburbs where the two were in close proximity to each other.
November 2002 - United Nations presents peace plan for Cyprus calling for broad power-sharing and a return of territory to Greek Cypriots.
February 2003 - President Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, loses election to Tassos Papadopoulos.
-- April 22 - Denktash authorizes opening checkpoints on the so-called "Green Line" for day trips.
April 24, 2004 - Greek Cypriots reject U.N. power-sharing plan in referendum. Turkish Cypriots, under new leadership of Mehmet Ali Talat, accept it.
-- May 1 - Cyprus joins the European Union partitioned.
October 4, 2005 - Turkey starts EU entry negotiations. Cyprus says Turkey is obliged to open its ports and airports to Cypriot traffic.
-- May 21, 2006 - The first election since the 2004 referendum reaffirms Greek Cypriot backing for leaders advocating a tougher stance toward Turkey in EU entry talks.
-- July 8 - Leaders agree to a framework for resuming peace talks.
-- Dec 29 - Turkish Cypriots begin dismantling a controversial footbridge in the heart of divided capital.
March 8, 2007 - Greek Cypriots begin dismantling a part of the barrier dividing Nicosia. Cyprus makes clear the crossing will not open for civilians until Turkey removes its troops stationed there.
