Greece 'to aid northern Cyprus’

[anileve]

Greece has pledged to provide economic aid to Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus, according to a report.

"We will not spare any effort to support them financially," the AFP news agency quoted President Konstandinos Stefanopoulos as saying.

Greece and the international community refused to recognise the Turkish-held Republic of Northern Cyprus created when Turkey seized the area in 1974.

But the region is opening up after residents voted to reunify the island.

EU aid package

In a referendum in April, Turkish Cypriots overwhelmingly voted in favour of ending partition, but reunification plans fell through because Greek Cypriots in the south voted against.



However, many countries have indicated that they will end economic embargoes on northern Cyprus in recognition of its residents' endorsement of reunification.

The European Union has pledged to release almost 260m euros (£170m) to Northern Cyprus in an attempt to end the region's economic isolation.

"Northern Cyprus now has the support of international organizations in the economic sphere," Mr Stephanopoulos told reporters.

"Because of the occupation they were unable to develop normally."

The Greek premier is in Azerbaijan to discuss strengthening trade ties between the two countries, particularly regarding energy supplies.

When is this nonsense going to stop? Because of governmental interests and cut-throat politics innocent civilians are suffering. Both sides have deep roots set in that country, each side fostering hate and prejudice. Either side cannot expect people to pack up and leave, why can't they come up with a damn solution? So many agencies, so many governments and crap load of politicians and they cannot put an end to this nonsense on one tiny island? How long can people let hate poison reason and logic? Why is it so darn difficult for them to establish some sort of equal representation? That's just idiotic!!!

[anileve]

Mixed village bets on united future

By Dominic Bailey
BBC News Online, Pyla, Cyprus

"We are proof for the whole country that we can live together without any problems," says the owner of a betting shop in the village of Pyla, on the southern side of Cyprus.
Pyla is the only bi-communal village in the buffer zone between north and south, where Greek and Turkish Cypriots lived together long before the 1974 Turkish invasion, and have done so peacefully ever since.
There is a Turkish coffee shop and Greek coffee shop on either side of the central square and the skyline is dominated by an imposing church and the nearby minaret of the village mosque.
The population is split along roughly the same lines as the island itself, with about 67% Greek Cypriots and 33% Turkish Cypriots, policed by a civilian UN force and overlooked from the adjacent hills by Turkish army watchtowers.

..............

English-born Judith Soteriou, 41, who married a Greek Cypriot, says her daughter is still taught the anti-English and anti-Turkish propaganda that seems to be common in the education system across southern Cyprus.
"She put up her hand when asked who wanted a 'yes' vote, thinking it was the right answer as people would get their homes back.
"But she was the only one and the teacher told her she should support 'no'.
"And she is only eight years old."
So perhaps the chances of a consensus which will result in more villages like Pyla are still a long way off.
Anyone fancying a bet on the chances of a united Cyprus in the near future may or may not want a tip from Mr Mytides.
"I'd bet on Cyprus being reunited before 10 years are up. We just won't wait 10 years, we need a solution earlier. That is what we are looking for."

Sort of reminds me how Armenians and Turks are taught to hate each other. How can you teach children to adhere to the political principles of adults? 90% don't really know why the real reason for their hate, they are just taught that it's the acceptable thing to do.

[fIReBuRntInHeLL]

Well there is this obvious reason to hate them: They killed my great grandparents.
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[anileve]

Fire jan, who? The boys who are now 15 years old? Or perhaps it's the 30 year old women or men? You hate the crime, you hate the denial, but you don't hate individuals who took no part in it. That just doesn't make sense. And the people who live their are regular civilians all leading a very laid back lifestyle, their traditions identical, sharing the same climate, same food and same land. Why must the regular families suffer due to some political conflict?

[dstyle]

Its not a politcal conflict, its a historical one, big difference.

[fIReBuRntInHeLL]

Well these kids and children dont know the truth and they deny to hear it.
In the case of Cyprus, Turks need to get the hell out of there, because Cyprus belongs to Greeks and Turks invaded in 1972 becuase of the Brits.Turks have no rights to demand peace in that island like they no right to say that our lands are theirs. These wars between the two parts of Cyprus will stop when Greeks regain the conquered part otherwise the hatred will continue, like it does with us.

[Tres Bien]

the turkish cyproits are as responsible because they know the truth but they choose not to mention it,that they are living on other poeples lands, wich was taken by forced occupation and with masskillings.

[Anonymouse]

When is this nonsense going to stop? Because of governmental interests and cut-throat politics innocent civilians are suffering. Both sides have deep roots set in that country, each side fostering hate and prejudice. Either side cannot expect people to pack up and leave, why can't they come up with a damn solution? So many agencies, so many governments and crap load of politicians and they cannot put an end to this nonsense on one tiny island? How long can people let hate poison reason and logic? Why is it so darn difficult for them to establish some sort of equal representation? That's just idiotic!!!

"Idiotic" is "equal representation". Criticizing the status quo governments, yet trying to have another one in place to guarantee "equal representation" is precisely what no one needs, and precisely the sort of euphemistic double talk that political systems feed off of. But since the masses are myopic, they will toss one tyranny to be replaced with another. The best is to toss the State all together and realize it for what it is, a tool for divide and rule.

The conflict in Cyprus is no different than the conflicts anywhere else, since the era of Nation-States. You can criticize it but you will not lessen it until you go for the real source, our willingness to participate in this madness which we call politics.

[dstyle]

Free Cyprus, boo Turkey