Greeks and Turkish Cypriots agree to talks

After years of deadlock, the leaders of the Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus have agreed to negotiations to resolve the dispute that has divided the Mediterranean island for more than three decades. The fresh moves to find a solution were announced Friday after the Greek Cypriot president, Demetris Christofias, met with Mehmet Ali Talat, the Turkish Cypriot leader. The host for the talks was the UN chief of mission in Cyprus, Tayé-Brook Zerihoun. The formal negotiations will start Sept. 3. The division of the island has cast a shadow over Turkey's ambitions to join the European Union, of which the Greek-controlled, internationally recognized Cypriot government is a member. Part of Turkey's EU membership negotiations have been suspended because of its unwillingness to recognize Cyprus. In 2004, a referendum based on a... [read full story]