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"The Cyprus conflict has long been a sticking point between Turkey and the EU, and Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu recently reiterated the fact that Turkey will not recognise the Greek Cypriot presidency of the European Union unless a deal to reunify Cyprus can be reached before this time.
Although this news is nothing new, it is quite a serious and would mean a complete deadlock between Turkey and the EU, as Ankara wouldn't even sit at the same table as officials from the Greek Cyprus. Reaching a resolution is increasingly urgent for Ankara.
Erdogan begins a two day tour of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) on Tuesday 19th of January which is the 37th anniversary of a Turkish military operation in the country. It's highly likely that he will release a statement pledging Ankara's support for UN backed negotiations between the two sides which are currently taking place.
Talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots were first initiated in September 2008 by the Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and the former Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat. Unfortunately since then no real progress has been achieved, and while Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots would like a quick resolution it is apparently the Greek Cypriots who are resisting setting a deadline.
A former UN plan which was put forward by the then UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, proposed to reunite the island, but was opposed by several EU members including Greek Cyprus. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, and Greek Cyprus is due to assume the presidency from Denmark in July 2012.
