MOSCOW, January 8 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the European Union's plans to intensify efforts to reunify Cyprus in 2026, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
"For the European Union, a comprehensive, fair and lasting settlement for Cyprus remains an absolute priority. That is why I appointed former Commissioner Johannes Hahn as EU Envoy for Cyprus. And it is why we will do all we can to ensure that the UN-led process succeeds, so that 2026 can bring renewed momentum towards a reunified Cyprus," von der Leyen said on Wednesday.
Cyprus has been de facto divided between the Greek and Turkish communities since 1974, following an armed invasion by Turkiye provoked by a coup in Cyprus and an attempt to annex the island to Greece.
Thirty-seven per cent of the island's territory, where the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was proclaimed in 1983, was occupied. Only Turkiye has recognised the TRNC.
UN-mediated talks between the Greek and Turkish communities on the reunification of Cyprus were interrupted after the failure of another round held in the Swiss city of Crans-Montana in 2017. Attempts are currently being made to resume negotiations.
--BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
