Cyprus peace negotiations collapse

CYPRUS peace talks yesterday collapsed and the United Nations announced the end of efforts to reunite Greek and Turkish Cypriots before the island signs an accession treaty to the European Union next month.

The European Commission warned Turkey the talks breakdown threatened Ankara’s own hopes of joining the EU.

In a bitter personal blow to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the talks mainly foundered on the opposition of minority Turkish Cypriots to land and population movements they were asked to make in the deal.