Talks have restarted, but neither side expects a breakthrough: That's how the overall situation in the Cyprus conflict could be summed up at the moment.

Representatives from the two sides have very differing views on a way out of the stalemate. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres now wants to look for a mutually agreed basis on which to restart peace talks.

As is so frequently the case with conflicts, the one in Cyprus also has roots deep in the past.

For decades, the largest demographic group, the Greek Cypriots, voiced the desire to unite with Greece. Many Turkish Cypriots, a group that had settled in Cyprus during the centuries in which the island formed part of the Ottoman Empire, were skeptical about the idea.

In the mid-20th century, the security situation on the island deteriorated. After negotiations between the Cypriots, Britain — the colonial power at the time —, Turkey and Greece, Cyprus became independent in 1960. The three other countries became guarantor powers. To this day, Britain operates two military bases on the island that are formally........

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