Businessmen urge swift deal on Cyprus

Four top business groups from Turkey, Greece, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and Greek Cyprus yesterday issued a joint declaration calling a settlement by the end of the year on the island. "We ... call upon the two communities on Cyprus to continue negotiating in good faith to achieve a comprehensive and enduring settlement of the Cyprus problem," said the declaration by the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), Hellenic Federation of Enterprises, Turkish Cypriot Businessmen's Association, and (Greek) Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation.