Turkey refuses to open airspace to Cypriot planes
28/07/2010
NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Turkey denied a request Tuesday (July 27th) by Cypriot aviation authorities to use the country's airspace, given ongoing strikes by air traffic controllers in Greece, which have affected travel throughout Europe. Cyprus Airways spokesperson Kyriakos Kyriakou said the company sought permission for two flights, but Ankara replied "promptly" and negatively. Opening its airspace to Cypriot aircraft is one condition Turkey must meet to join the EU.
Meanwhile, Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu are meeting on Wednesday as part of ongoing talks to reunify the divided island. The focus of this round is the property issue. They last met six days ago. (Cyprus Mail, CNA - 28/07/10; CNA, Xinhua - 27/07/10)