Cyprus

Israel's defense minister says ties between his country and neighboring Cyprus are probably at their best ever.

Avigdor Lieberman said Friday that the two countries are "very, very reliable friends," despite all the political and security problems plaguing the region.

The rival leaders of ethnically split Cyprus said Wednesday they would meet with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon later this month to take stock of ongoing reunification talks and ask him to step up his personal involvement in the months ahead.

The European Union and Turkey must maintain a close, open and constant dialogue to deal with common challenges, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini told the European Parliament on Sept. 13.

"Despite all difficulties, both Turkey and the European Union realize there are many interests we have in common and so much we share," said Mogherini.

The leaders of the Turkish and Greek sides of Cyprus are committed to reaching a peace deal before the year ends, but gaps on controversial issues remain, a United Nations special envoy has said. 

The rival leaders of ethnically split Cyprus say they will meet with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon later this month to take stock of ongoing reunification talks and ask him to step up his personal involvement in the months ahead.

The rival leaders of ethnically split Cyprus say they will meet with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon later this month to take stock of ongoing reunification talks and ask him to step up his personal involvement in the months ahead.

Turkish police have arrested dozens and detained many others in a large-scale operation against an illegal international betting gang which obtained $1.5 million. A total of 57 people were detained in the operation, as 39 were arrested, daily Habertürk reported on Sept. 14.

Developing natural gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean could be a catalyst for ending division on the island of Cyprus and transforming the geopolitical landscape in the broader region, a US committee of experts has been told.

Greek PM Alexis Tsipras will hope to assuage the discontent among the economically battered Greek public and galvanise his party supporters during his speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair, by using his administration’s successful results of the TV licence tenders, which brought in 246 million Euros to the state coffers.

Leaders of the EU's southern countries taking part in an Athens summit on Friday sought to forge a common strategy ahead of next weeks informal gathering of European leaders in Bratislava to discuss the bloc's future in the aftermath of Brexit.