Turkey hopeful Cyprus issue to be resolved in 2016, minister says

Istanbul (dpa) - Turkey is hopeful that Cyprus can hold a referendum on reunifying the island early next year and end more than 40 years of division between the Turkish and Greek sides, a top minister said Friday."Today, we are at a point which gives us the most hope for reaching a solution," Volkan Bozkir, Turkey‘s minister of European Union affairs, said in an interview with the state-run Anadolu news agency. "I really believe that the Cyprus issue will be solved this time."There was a "strong possibility" the referendum could be held in March, Bozkir said during a visit to Brussels.A Turkish invasion in 1974 resulted in the predominantly northern section of Cyprus seceding from the country and forming the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, only recognized internationally by Turkey.In 2004, a referendum was held for reuniting the island and approved by the Turkish northern half but rejected by the Greeks in the south. The southern half moved ahead and joined the European Union, while the north is largely isolated.Talks between the sides were renewed last year when Mustafa Akinci, a moderate, was elected as president of the northern republic.US Secretary of State John Kerry visited the Greek section this week and expressed hope that a deal could be reached between the sides."I am more convinced than ever that a resolution to the longstanding division of Cyprus is within reach and with it the many benefits of unity for all the people of the island. It doesn‘t mean it will happen automatically. It‘s difficult, but it can be done," Kerry said.The top US diplomat said he was "impressed" by the work of both Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Akinci."A united Cyprus will stand as a beacon of hope in a tumultuous part of the world at a time when people need that beacon. It will be a model for other places in search of a peaceful, multi-ethnic future," Kerry said.Turkey invaded the island after the military rulers in Athens at the time tried to annex Cyprus.The Cyprus issue remains a key stumbling block in Turkey‘s path towards joining the European Union, though Ankara faces other hurdles including concerns about democracy, human rights and press freedoms.