ANKARA
The Greek Cypriot negotiator, Andreas Mavroyannis, began talks with Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu in Ankara on Thursday as part of the efforts to find a solution to decades-long dispute over the divided island of Cyprus.
Kudret Ozersay, the negotiator from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), is expected to meet simultaneously with Greek Foreign Ministry Secretary General Anastassis Mitsialis, in the Greek capital of Athens.
After an almost two-year-long pause, Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders held their first meeting last week, issuing a joint declaration that outlines the way forward for a solution to the crisis that has gripped the island for half a century.
The declaration recommends recognizing the equal status of the two states, while aiming to bring the divided communities closer under a federal government.
The Greek Cypriot administration is a member of the European Union (EU) and recognized internationally, except by Turkey who only recognizes the TRNC.
Turkey to give loan of 500 million dollars to TRNC
The Turkish Council of Ministers has approved a US$500 million credit agreement signed with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The Council’s decision was published on Thursday.
According to the decision, credit will be used for projects, restructuring of financial sector and other issues in the TRNC.
Within the loan agreement, a technical committee from Turkey will evaluate areas of utilization of the credit and determinate obligations of TRNC, each month.
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