Greek Cypriot Leader says it will continue talks with Turkish part after taking EU presidency

Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias has told the United Nations and other international actors that his government was ready to continue talks with the Turkish Cypriots on reunification of the island after Greek Cyprus takes over the rotating presidency of the European Union, a claim hardly welcome in Ankara.

Greek Cyprus, an EU member since 2004 representing the whole island, is preparing to take over the presidency of the 27-nation bloc in July. Turkey has said it would suspend dialogue with the EU presidency as soon as the Greek Cypriots take the helm of the union.