Cyprus’ insistence that the EU pressure on Turkey towards establishing relations with the divided island’s government today threatened to derail Ankara’s first detailed negotiations to join the EU before they could begin.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw was greeted with angry criticism from Cyprus’ president as he arrived on the divided island in hopes of gauging support for a stalled UN. peace plan.

European Parliament President Josep Borell today urged the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to renew efforts toward ending the island’s 31-year division.