Greek Cypriot gov't rebuffs calls to join NATO program

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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Government Spokesman Stefanos Stefanou told AP that joining program is "not on the ... agenda" of Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias because it would undermine ongoing reunification talks with his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Mehmet Ali Talat.

Parliament voted 31-17 late Thursday in favor of membership. Only deputies from the government's main coalition partner, the reformed communist Akel, voted against. Akel argued the move would also counter efforts to reunite Cyprus as a demilitarized island, AP said.

NATO created the program 1994 to boost ties with non-alliance member countries in Europe and the former Soviet Union. Twenty-two countries have joined the program, including Russia and Serbia.

Talat and Christofias last September began reunification talks aimed at reaching an agreement to end the island's decades-long division, after a four-year hiatus. Cyprus was split in 1964 when Turkish Cypriots were forced to withdraw into enclaves.