"French minister makes first call on north Cyprus
NICOSIA, Jan 17 (AFP) - A French minister wrapped up a 24-hour trip to Cyprus Monday during which she became the first ever member of the French government to visit the breakaway Turkish-held north of the island.
Assistant minister for European affairs Claudie Haignere told AFP that her visit had no official status and that she was merely visiting Turkish Cypriot representatives for 'private talks' aimed at encouraging dialogue between the island's divided communities.
'We have always sought to promote reconciliation in a bid to reach a settlement,' she said. "
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