Greek, Turkish Cypriot journalists team up to jointly publish print, online newspaper

Greek and Turkish Cypriot journalists teamed up to jointly publish a print and online newspaper in English, in a move to help bridge four decades of alienation and help bring closer an expected reunification of the eastern Mediterranean island, a statement said on Friday.

It said the Greek Cypriot Phileleftheros Publishing Group and the Turkish Cypriot Havadis Group joined forces in a strategic cooperation to bring news of each community to the other on everyday life events.

"We are convinced that by working together, our media groups can help eliminate any remaining barriers between our communities, both physical and psychological," an article said.

It was carried by the Greek Cypriot-owned English language newspaper The Cyprus Weekly, which belongs to the Phileleftheros Group and the Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis.

The unprecedented move was backed by Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, who are engaged in reunification talks.

They started negotiating in May 2015 in a United Nations-led effort to reach a settlement that would end Cyprus's division.

Cyprus has been divided into Turkish-Cypriots occupied north and Greek-Cypriots south in 1974.

Anastasiades said in an article published both in the Cyprus Weekly and Havadis on Friday that he believed a long-awaited solution was possible this year.

He conceded that in complex chapters of the negotiations with Akinci they were facing particular difficulties.

"But despite the difficulties, I am optimistic that in 2016, under certain conditions, we can break the decades-long deadlock and reach a comprehensive settlement," said Anastasiades.

He said the success of the two news groups joint venture would also be a success for all Cypriots who yearn for communication and mutual understanding. Endit