Cyprus

Turkish Cypriots were attacked late Nov. 16 by right-wing Greek nationalists of the National Popular Front (ELAM), local security forces said.

Turkish Cyprus has marked the 32nd anniversary of its foundation yesterday with celebrations in the country. 

Eurozone member Greek Cyprus is well out of recession, having notched up a third consecutive quarter of growth, and is looking for GDP to expand at least 1.5 percent this year, officials have said.

US State Department Spokesman Mark Toner stated that the US does not recognize the Turkish invasion of Cyprus during a press briefing.

The issue was raised when journalist Michail Ignatiou asked Mr. Toner to comment on a reception of the US Embassy in Cyprus which was held in the Turkish occupied area of Cyprus and attended by Turkish soldiers in uniform.

Something rather odd is unfolding for the future of Turkish Cypriots on their homeland. Even though recent developments are often camouflaged as "promising," indicating optimism for a quick resolution to the over half-decade-old Cyprus problem, what is actually on the menu is an unconditional surrender of Turkish Cypriots.

Turkey has agreed to allow access to graves in military zones in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in a major breakthrough in a decades-old search for persons missing in past conflicts, a team working under U.N. auspices said on Nov. 5.

An EU-UN booklet on Cyprus that circulated in January caused political outrage in Cyprus because it referred to towns and villages occupied by Turks using both the Greek and Turkish names. The publication, written in English, circulated in January after it was complied by both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot writers.

European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis left Greece with an ultimatum during his two-day visit to Greece on Thursday and Friday. He made it clear that prior actions need to be completed before the recapitalisation of banks can take place.

A secret document, prepared by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and leaked by the Greek Cypriot Intelligence Services, has claimed that the new fresh water pipeline from Turkey to the TRNC will enable northern Cyprus to raise its national income, making more difficult for southern Cyprus to claim properties according to international law. 

Greek Cyprus said Oct. 19 that it would not consent to lifting its objections to Turkish accession negotiations with the European Union, saying the reasons it blocked them were still valid.