World | Other World Stories
Window of opportunity for Cyprus reunion
Diplomatic talks boost hopes to end the 34-year-old division of Mediterranean island.
- AP
- Published: 00:03 March 9, 2008
Ankara: The Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Greece expressed hope for the revival of talks aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island of Cyprus by the end of the year.
"We think that an important window of opportunity has been opened for 2008," Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said after a meeting with his Greek counterpart, Dora Bakoyannis, yesterday.
Their meeting follows a decision by new Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat, the president of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state, to meet in the coming weeks to discuss the revival of reunification talks stalled since 2004.
"We share the opinion that the period ahead will be full of action concerning Cyprus," Bakoyannis said.
"There is an opportunity we can contribute to."
Regional rivals Greece and Turkey are trying to improve ties overshadowed by military tensions over Cyprus and territorial rights in the Aegean Sea. Relations have thawed considerably over the past decade.
Hours after winning Cyprus's February 24 election, Christofias called Talat, renewing hopes that the 34-year-old division of Cyprus can be resolved.
The island has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded in response to a coup by supporters of union with Greece. The island joined the European Union in 2004, but the bloc's benefits are only enjoyed by the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot south. The Turkish part in the north is recognised only by Turkey.
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