Foreign relations of Northern Cyprus

European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said Jan. 15 that he was "very confident" that negotiators will reach a final agreement to reunite Cyprus within the next six months.

The responsibility for re-energizing Turkey's accession process will belong to the European Union even in the event that the ongoing Cyprus talks fail to produce a breakthrough, Turkey's EU minister has said, asking the bloc to keep its promises toward Ankara.

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on Tuesday met with UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide at the foreign ministry to discuss the latest developments on Cyprus issue.

Mr. Eide later described the discussion he had with Mr. Kotzias as constructive.

The Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders of the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus have taken to the airwaves together to send out holiday wishes in both Greek and Turkish for the first time.

Expectations are again building for a probable conclusion within a month or so of the talks aimed at creating a "bi-zonal and bi-communal federation" on the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus.

Today the European Commission approved the new financial assistance programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, worth €32 million from the EU budget.

This is the continuation of the successful Aid Programme promoting the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community, improving contacts between the two communities and bringing the Turkish Cypriots closer to the EU.

The U.N. Secretary-General's Special Advisor on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, met with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu behind closed doors in Ankara late on Dec. 8, discussing the latest developments in talks to find a peaceful solution to the Cyprus issue.

Cyprus is closer than ever to ending a four-decade partition, and its Turkish and Greek sides could agree to the text of a deal by May followed by a referendum, a Turkish Cypriot official has said.

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

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.