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.

“Regrettably these (peace) efforts were not a success. We have reached the end of the road,” Mr Annan said in a statement.

“I share tonight with all peace-loving Greek and Turkish Cypriots as well as Greeks and Turks a deep sense of sadness,” Mr Annan said.

Cyprus has been partitioned since Turkish troops invaded in 1974, seizing the poorer northern one-third of the island in response to a coup by Greek Cypriots seeking union with Greece.

Some 30,000 Turkish troops are in northern Cyprus which is only recognised by Ankara.

European Commission spokesman Jean-Christophe Filori said the EU would go ahead and sign an accession treaty with a divided Cyprus, represented only by the Greek Cypriot government, on April 16 in Athens as planned.