Blow to UN as Cyprus talks fail

Cyprus peace talks collapsed on Tuesday and the United Nations announced the end of its long efforts to reunite Greek and Turkish Cypriots b...

Cyprus peace talks collapsed on Tuesday and the United Nations announced the end of its long efforts to reunite Greek and Turkish Cypriots before the island accedes to the European Union next month.

In a bitter personal blow to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and a major setback for Turkey’s own hopes of joining the EU, the talks mainly foundered on the opposition of minority Turkish Cypriots to land and population movements they were asked to make in the deal.

‘‘Regrettably these (peace) efforts were not a success. We have reached the end of the road,’’ said a statement by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Story continues below this ad

NATO allies Greece and Turkey, whose support of their communities on the island has pushed them close to war in the past, vowed to overcome the setback. ‘‘The Secretary-General said there was no agreement but he did not completely close the doors,’’ Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul told reporters in Ankara.

In Athens, Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Begilitis said: ‘‘The political will for peace from our side remains alive.’’

But Annan’s statement, read by his Cyprus envoy Alvara de Soto after marathon talks by the Secretary-General with Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos and veteran Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, left little room for optimism.

Annan had hoped to persuade Denktash and Papadopoulos to hold referendums on the plan on March 30 so that a united Cyprus could sign an April 16 EU accession treaty.

Story continues below this ad

A peace deal was crucial for Turkey’s hopes of joining the European Union as the Greek Cypriot part of the island will join the bloc in May 2004, with or without the Turkish Cypriot side. (Reuters)

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, unaffected by tariff row, hal unaffected by tariff row, Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk 1A, D K Sunil, Indian express news, current affairs

Fighter engine talks with US are on, unaffected by tariff row: HAL chief

India8 hr ago

HAL Chairman and Managing Director D K Sunil assures that the government's recent order for 97 Tejas Mk 1A is a vote of confidence, despite the delay in delivering the initial order of 83 aircraft. He addresses concerns about the supply chain and negotiations with GE for F414 engines.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS