The Cyprus government said on Friday that it might send an envoy to Damascus to prevent any maritime links between the island's breakaway north and Syria.
Nicosia has made representations to Damascus after a delegation from the Turkish Cypriot-controlled north traveling last weekend on a Turkish ship from the northern port of Famagusta to Latakia, Syria for a promotional tour.
According to Turkish Cypriot media, Turkish Cypriots and Syrians are preparing to launch scheduled direct ferry tours as of Ramadan holiday, beginning on Oct. 12.
Speaking Thursday in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos explained that the Turkish vessel sailed from the north to Syria following an arrangement "between the shipping company that owns the vessel and the Latakia local chamber of commerce."
Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Walid Al Muallem assured his Cypriot counterpart Erato Kozakou Markoullis during their meeting in New York on Wednesday that he would personally look into the case.
Cypriot government spokesman Vasilis Palmas, responding to questions concerning the issue on Friday, said "there is an ongoing dialogue with Damascus on this issue at different levels and it is possible that we may send an envoy to Syria."
Cyprus was divided since 1974 in Turkey militarily intervened and occupied the north of the island following a coup by a group of Greek officers who pushed for union with Greece.
In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot authorities declared breakaway and set up "the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which is recognized only by Turkey. The breakaway north has kept its links with outside world via Turkey.
Source: Xinhua
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