File Photo: European Union Foreign Poliy Chief Federica Mogherini (Agence France-Presse)
Nicosia:
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini hailed Cyprus peace talks today on a visit during which she also praised the island's role as a key player in the Middle East.
Ms Mogherini, who is also the European Union's high representative for security policy, held separate meetings in Nicosia with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded the island and occupied its northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece.
A new round of long-stalled UN-brokered peace talks began on May 15, bringing together Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci, leader of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
"We had a very good long meeting with the president... passing all our European support... to the talks in view of the settlement of the Cyprus issue and recognising his leadership and his commitment in this respect," said Ms Mogherini.
After meeting Kasoulides, she stressed the urgency of reaching a solution.
"I do not say that it is now or never, but I do say that it is either now or very difficult in the future. I will personally do all I can to support this process in order for it to have a positive outcome."
On Cyprus and the Middle East, Ms Mogherini said she and Anastasiades "spent a lot of our time discussing the regional dimension of the Middle East peace process in view also of the visit that (Israeli) Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu will pay here next week.
"The role that Cyprus is playing in this regard is crucial for the EU and obviously we shared views also on the wider framework in the region after the Iranian deal and relations with Egypt and with the rest of the wider Middle East."
She was referring to a historic agreement reached on July 14 between Iran and world powers on curbing the Islamic republic's nuclear programme in exchange for easing sanctions.
Cyprus, which joined the European Union in 2004, has sought to develop ties with its neighbours in the Middle East in recent years.
In April, it hosted a mini-summit with the leaders of Egypt and Greece during which they agreed on the need to step up cooperation in the fight against "terrorism".
Cyprus is also working with Israel to exploit gas reserves in the Mediterranean.
Ms Mogherini, who is also the European Union's high representative for security policy, held separate meetings in Nicosia with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded the island and occupied its northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece.
A new round of long-stalled UN-brokered peace talks began on May 15, bringing together Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci, leader of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
"We had a very good long meeting with the president... passing all our European support... to the talks in view of the settlement of the Cyprus issue and recognising his leadership and his commitment in this respect," said Ms Mogherini.
After meeting Kasoulides, she stressed the urgency of reaching a solution.
"I do not say that it is now or never, but I do say that it is either now or very difficult in the future. I will personally do all I can to support this process in order for it to have a positive outcome."
On Cyprus and the Middle East, Ms Mogherini said she and Anastasiades "spent a lot of our time discussing the regional dimension of the Middle East peace process in view also of the visit that (Israeli) Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu will pay here next week.
"The role that Cyprus is playing in this regard is crucial for the EU and obviously we shared views also on the wider framework in the region after the Iranian deal and relations with Egypt and with the rest of the wider Middle East."
She was referring to a historic agreement reached on July 14 between Iran and world powers on curbing the Islamic republic's nuclear programme in exchange for easing sanctions.
Cyprus, which joined the European Union in 2004, has sought to develop ties with its neighbours in the Middle East in recent years.
In April, it hosted a mini-summit with the leaders of Egypt and Greece during which they agreed on the need to step up cooperation in the fight against "terrorism".
Cyprus is also working with Israel to exploit gas reserves in the Mediterranean.
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