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France makes first visit to north Cyprus
NICOSIA, Jan 17 (AFP) - A French junior minister wrapped up a 24-hour visit to north Cyprus Monday, the first ever by a French official to the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state.

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.

Haignere also met Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and other Greek Cypriot officials during her visit.

Former colonial power Britain has sent government ministers to north Cyprus in the past but the island's accession to the European Union in May last year has sparked increased interest in a settlement among the other members of the 25-nation bloc.

Cyprus has been divided along ethnic lines since 1974 when Turkey occupied its northern third following a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at union with Greece.