Cyprus Says Breakthrough In 2009 Depends On Turkey

Leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities started talks in September after a four-year hiatus.

Talks to reunite Cyprus could be concluded as soon as next year if Turkey adopts a more constructive attitude, Cypriot President Demetris Christofias said on Friday. Christofias, who leads the Greek Cypriot community of the island's south in talks with the Turkish Cypriot side, said negotiations were still in "the first phase" and resolving the decades-old problem next year would be "a tight time schedule".

"It's not in our interest to waste time. We want a solution to reunite the people, the region, as soon as possible," Christofias told a news conference during a visit to Athens.

"If Turkey adopts a good attitude, if it shows understanding, then yes, we could have a solution in 2009."

Turkey has 30,000 troops stationed in North Cyprus and refuses to normalise ties with the internationally-recognised Republic of Cyprus, an EU member.

Leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities started talks in September after a four-year hiatus. The Turkish Cypriot side expressed hope a deal could be brokered by the end of 2008.

Although a settlement has eluded diplomats for decades, mediators believe Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Mehmet Ali Talat are best placed to broker a deal as they are both moderates.

Christofias, however, urged Talat to show more independence from Ankara. "The negotiations will need nerves of steel ... The community leaders need to be free to negotiate," he said.

The eastern Mediterranean island has been split since a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a Greek-inspired coup.

Both sides agree to a settlement based on a federation, but there are disagreements about how it would work and the degree of authority each side would have. Any deal will need to be approved by Cypriots in separate, simultaneous referendums.

Other outstanding issues include property rights, security guarantees, and the return of refugees, Christofias said.

Turkey started EU entry talks in 2005, but they have been hobbled by its refusal to recognise Greek Cyprus. Greek Cypriots represent the island in Brussels since 2004 and have right of veto over Turkey's entry.

Tensions flared this week when Cyprus complained to the United Nations that a Turkish warship was harassing oil and gas exploration vessels in its waters. Ankara said the ships were encroaching on its continental shelf.

"We will not agree to Turkey's EU membership while Turkey continues to violate the sovereignty of an EU member," Christofias said, adding the oil survey would be completed.