Gul sees Cyprus talks after vote
ANKARA (AFP) – Turkey said yesterday a solution to the longstanding division of Cyprus might be found after a key vote in the island’s Turkish-occupied north next month. In a stern warning on Wednesday that angered Ankara, the European Union said a failure to reunify the island’s Greek and Turkish communities could undermine Turkey’s already struggling bid to join the bloc. «I am certain the two parties will come together after the [December 14] elections and make sincere efforts for a settlement… We are encouraging a settlement,» Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said after talks with visiting Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja. «But I want to underline that a solution should not be expected only from the Turkish side. If the problem is to be resolved… the same appeals should be made to the Greek-Cypriot side as well… The Greek Cypriots should not be allowed to act untroubled just because they are joining the EU in any case,» Gul said. Cyprus will enter the EU in May. The December vote is for a house of representatives.
