Italy: Solve Cyprus before Turkey joins EU

ATHENS, Greece: Italy’s president says the island of Cyprus must be reunited before Turkey is allowed to join the European Union.

President Giorgio Napolitano made the remarks while on a three-day official visit to Greece.

Rival Cypriot leaders are currently holding reunification talks on the Mediterranean island which has been divided since a Turkish invasion in 1974.

Napolitano holds a largely ceremonial post. He made the comments Tuesday after talks with Greek President Karolos Papoulias.

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Italy: Solve Cyprus before Turkey joins EU – International Herald Tribune.