Turkish- and Greek-Cypriot peace negotiators hold simultaneous talks in Turkey and Greece

by  Associated Press Cypriot negotiators visit Ankara, Athens Associated Press - 27 February 2014 11:47-05:00

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A Greek-Cypriot negotiator has held talks in Turkey while his Turkish-Cypriot counterpart met officials in Greece as part of revived peace efforts to reunify the divided island.

Thursday's simultaneous visits to Ankara and Athens aim to engage Turkey and Greece more directly and to increase confidence between the sides. The new talks were launched this month after the sides outlined their vision of a federation.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by Greek Cypriots who aimed to unite the island with Greece. Turkey backs the northern breakaway Turkish Cypriot state but has no formal ties with the internationally-recognized Greek Cypriot government in the south.

Cypriot government spokesman Christos Stylianides said it's hoped the meeting in Ankara would be the first "of many more.".

News Topics: General news, Peace process, Diplomacy, International relations, Government and politics

People, Places and Companies: Turkey, Cyprus, Ankara, Athens, Greece, Middle East, Western Europe, Europe

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