EU's Barroso urges Turkish, Greek Cypriots to seize "historic chance"

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

"The time is now. Do not allow a situation where the younger generation will simply accept the status quo," Barroso was quoted by Reuters as telling reporters in Nicosia where he meet separately with the leaders of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities.

"There is a historic chance now to end this conflict once and for all," Barroso said.

He said the European Union fully backs the slow-moving peace talks between Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and his Greek Cypriot counterpart Demetris Christofias.

But Barroso warned the EU "cannot make the deal" and that it is up to Cypriots themselves to find a solution.

Cyprus has been divided since 1964 when Turkish Cypriots were forced to withdraw into enclaves.

Re-launched in September 2008 after a four-year hiatus, Talat and Christofias have been involved in U.N.-sponsored unification talks aimed at reaching an agreement to end the island's decades-long division. But little progress has been made so far.

The talks mark the first major push for peace since the failure of a U.N. reunification plan in 2004, which was approved by Turkish Cypriots but overwhelmingly rejected by Greek Cypriots.

The U.N. Security Council strongly urged last month Christofias and Talat "to increase the momentum in the negotiations to ensure the full exploitation of this opportunity to reach a comprehensive settlement."