Europe

EU official: Cyprus accord 'game changer' for bloc, region

Associated Press
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EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini arrives at the Presidential palace for a meeting with the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades in capital Nicosia, in the ethnically divided island of Cyprus, Friday, Oct. 28, 2016. Mogherini is in Cyprus to support ongoing talks aimed at reunifying the ethnically divided island. Cyprus' Greek and Turkish speaking communities will conduct a key phase of reunification talks in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland on Wednesday, Nov. 7-11. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) (The Associated Press)

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, left, welcoming from the Cypriot foreign minister Ioannis Kasoulides at the Presidential palace following a meeting with the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades in divided capital Nicosia, in the ethnically divided island of Cyprus, Friday, Oct. 28, 2016. Mogherini is in Cyprus to support to ongoing talks aimed at reunifying the ethnically divided island. Cyprus' Greek and Turkish speaking communities will conduct a key phase of reunification talks in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland on Wednesday, Nov. 7-11. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) (The Associated Press)

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, left, talks with the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades at the Presidential palace during a meeting in capital Nicosia, in the ethnically divided island of Cyprus, Friday, Oct. 28, 2016. Mogherini is in Cyprus to support ongoing talks aimed at reunifying the ethnically divided island. Cyprus' Greek and Turkish speaking communities will conduct a key phase of reunification talks in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland on Wednesday, Nov. 7-11. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) (The Associated Press)

The European Union's foreign policy chief says a deal reunifying ethnically divided Cyprus would be a "game changer" for the bloc and the Middle East.

Federica Mogherini, the EU's high Representative for foreign affairs and security, says an accord would be extremely important for a region "that needs hope and trust in diplomacy and political solutions as no other region in the world needs."

She said Friday the EU fully supports and encourages peace talks that are moving into a crucial phase next month.

Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci will conduct negotiations in Switzerland Nov. 7-11 on how much territory each side would administer under an envisioned federation.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup aimed at union with Greece.