Negotiations for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures have advanced further than ever, with the reconstruction of the British Museum presenting a perfect moment for their return to Athens, where they belong, according to Marlene Godwin, chairwoman of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures.
Tag: negotiations
Türkiye is negotiating to acquire 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets and 400 Meteor air-to-air missiles in a potential €8 billion deal, with the U.K. leading the offer and Germany’s objections fading. Focus has shifted to the missile package, despite France’s limited influence to block the sale.
Cyprus’ rival leaders will join a UN-led meeting next month to revive stalled peace talks. With deep divisions on the island’s future, the talks aim to bridge differences amid ongoing diplomatic challenges.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that the Turkey-Greece High-Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) will meet in Ankara this April. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis are set to attend, with both countries emphasizing their commitment to resolving issues through dialogue. Fidan highlighted the importance of regular updates from the heads of state and acknowledged the sensitivity of Greece’s internal political system in the ongoing discussions.
Hamas has tentatively agreed to a ceasefire draft for the Gaza Strip, involving the release of numerous hostages, amid progressing negotiations in Qatar. While Israeli officials confirm advancements, they note that some details remain under negotiation. The planned agreement, pending Israeli Cabinet approval, proposes a phased release of hostages alongside increased humanitarian aid.
Cyprus condemns Turkish Foreign Minister’s visit to occupied north, labeling it “illegal” and a violation of international law. The visit comes amid efforts to restart reunification talks.
Despite persistent disagreements, Turkish FM Hakan Fidan’s visit to Athens sought to foster cooperation and lay the groundwork for the next High-Level Cooperation Council meeting.
Greece has firmly rejected any concessions on its territorial waters in the dispute with Turkey, with a senior official stating, “Six miles? Not a chance.” This comes ahead of diplomatic talks between Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in November, focused on delineating continental shelves and exclusive economic zones. Greek officials stress that sovereignty issues are non-negotiable, raising tensions as both nations prepare for critical negotiations.
Cyprus and the United Kingdom are “on the same page” regarding the solution to the Cyprus problem, President Nikos Christodoulides stated after a meeting with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street. Emphasizing the UK’s “decisive importance” in the discussions, President Christodoulides expressed confidence that any solution must align with UN Security Council resolutions. He noted the British government’s desire to enhance cooperation and emphasized the need for meaningful talks to resolve the issue. The meeting also addressed regional challenges, including the situation in the Middle East, with President Christodoulidis advocating for an international ceasefire initiative.
Ersin Tatar, the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, has reiterated his conditions for the recognition of sovereign equality and equal international status ahead of an informal tripartite dinner with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Tatar emphasized that formal negotiations will not commence until the acquired rights of the Turkish Cypriots are accepted and clear, unambiguous conditions are met.
The wheels are in motion for a significant upgrade to the Mari Naval Base in Cyprus, a project poised to reshape the region’s geopolitical landscape. Projected for completion in 2027 or 2028, the upgraded base will host warships from allied nations, including Greece, and bolster Cyprus’s role in regional security and humanitarian efforts. However, the project has drawn sharp criticism from Turkey, adding another layer of complexity to the already fraught Cyprus issue. As diplomatic efforts continue, the international community watches closely to see how this development will impact the ongoing negotiations for a lasting solution on the divided island.
Turkey has begun negotiations with Germany for the purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon jets, following the lifting of Germany’s objections to the sale of 40 aircraft. A technical delegation from the Eurofighter consortium, including experts from the UK, Italy, Spain, and Germany, is in Turkey for talks expected to last about three weeks. If successful, Turkey plans to acquire 24 jets initially, with the potential to increase the order to 40. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to visit Turkey on October 19 to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Reuters news agency has reported that Greece and Turkey may be on the path…
Ahead of the UN General Assembly, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized the importance of coordination between Greece and Cyprus amid rising geopolitical tensions. Both leaders stressed that their nations, as pillars of stability in the region, must work closely on resolving the Cyprus issue and addressing challenges in the Middle East.
Tensions rise as a critical meeting in Nicosia grapples with the future of the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector. Financial disagreements and geopolitical concerns cast a shadow over the project, even as survey work for the undersea cable is underway.
Blinken cautioned that every day the deal is not finalized, and the two sides don’t say “yes, period,” is a day “in which something else happens and there is an intervening event which simply pushes things off and runs the risk of derailing what is a pretty fragile apple cart.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the nation’s readiness to establish a naval base in Northern Cyprus, indicating a strategic move amid rising tensions with Greece over military expansion in the region. Erdogan ruled out resuming international negotiations on Cyprus, calling instead for direct talks with the Greek Cypriot side.
Tensions are high as Cyprus marks the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion, with both Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan present on the island. Mitsotakis is expected to deliver a powerful speech condemning the ongoing occupation and reiterating Greece’s support for a UN-backed solution. His words come amidst renewed efforts to restart peace talks, though the path forward remains fraught with challenges.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reaffirmed Greece’s steadfast stance in negotiations with Turkey, emphasising that the…
A wave of anti-war demonstrations has swept through several prominent universities in the United States,…