British FM optimistic for breakthrough in resolution of Cyprus issue

[webfact]

British FM optimistic for breakthrough in resolution of Cyprus issue
Source: Xinhua

ATHENS, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond expressed optimism on Thursday that a breakthrough in resolving the Cyprus issue may come soon.

"I have made several visits to Cyprus over the last few months, meeting members of both communities, and I am optimistic that we may be on the brink of a breakthrough in resolving this dispute," he told media in Athens after a meeting with his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias.

Hammond reiterated Britain's support for the achievement of a viable solution, stressing that London "will do whatever possible for this to happen."

Under international agreements Britain and Greece are two of the guarantor powers in the Mediterranean Sea island that has been ethnically divided since 1974 when Turkey controlled the northern part of Cyprus. Repeated rounds of negotiations since then have failed to produce an agreement to reunify the island.

Full story: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-01/14/c_135010530.htm

-- Xinhua 2016-01-15

[Baerboxer]

Turkey invaded the Northern part of Cyprus in 1974. It was a military expedition that the Greeks and Brit government of the time did nothing about.

Turkey has sent troops illegally into Iraq.

Turkey is a chancer regime and very dangerous that does not respect international law or anyone's sovereignty.

[joebrown]

Turkey invaded the Northern part of Cyprus in 1974. It was a military expedition that the Greeks and Brit government of the time did nothing about.

Turkey has sent troops illegally into Iraq.

Turkey is a chancer regime and very dangerous that does not respect international law or anyone's sovereignty.

I travelled along part of the 'buffer-zone' border about 12 years ago and was told there are about 1,000 UN peacekeeping personnel permanently stationed there. This situation had existed since 1974 at enormous expense. Turkish nationals have assumed quasi legal rights to land in the occupied areas and sell on these rights to other Turks with impunity. At the time I lived there there was an agreement between the 2 governments to allow entry to the north on a limited basis, mainly to encourage tourism. I never crossed the 'border' as I had no intention of supporting the economy of an illegal Turkish regime, having met and talked at length to some of the displaced Greeks living far from their ancestral homes, with little or no chance of returning.

[Steely Dan]

The idiots are clearing the decks for Turkey to enter the EU.

[Ulic]

Turkey must think they have a real chance of joining the EU.

[khunken]

Turkey invaded the Northern part of Cyprus in 1974. It was a military expedition that the Greeks and Brit government of the time did nothing about.

Turkey has sent troops illegally into Iraq.

Turkey is a chancer regime and very dangerous that does not respect international law or anyone's sovereignty.

This is one case of Turkey being in the right.

Back then, Archbishop Makarious tried to carry out Enosis - meaning union with Greece over the heads of the Turkish-Cypriot population. That is why Turkey invaded - to protect the minority.

Cyprus is an independent country & should stay that way - if power sharing can work in N. Ireland, there is no reason that it can't in Cyprus.