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EU Calls Turkish Plans for Cyprus Unacceptable

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell during a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, January 31, 2020. (AP)
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell during a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, January 31, 2020. (AP)
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EU Calls Turkish Plans for Cyprus Unacceptable

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell during a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, January 31, 2020. (AP)
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell during a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, January 31, 2020. (AP)

The European Union’s top diplomat Josep Borrell voiced deep concern on Tuesday over Turkish plans for the divided island of Cyprus, calling them unacceptable.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said peace talks can take place only between “the two states” on the Mediterranean island, a position rejected by Greek Cypriots and the EU. Turkish Cypriot officials also announced plans for the potential resettlement of a small part of an abandoned Greek Cypriot suburb of Varosha.

“The High Representative of the European Union expresses his deep concern over the announcements made by (Turkish) President (Tayyip) Erdogan and Mr. (Ersin) Tatar on 20 July 2021, with respect to the fenced-off area of Varosha, which constitutes an unacceptable unilateral decision to change the status of Varosha,” Borrell said in a statement.

“The EU once again underlines the need to avoid unilateral actions in breach of international law and renewed provocations, which could raise tensions on the island and compromise a return to talks on a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue,” Borrell said.

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Southern Taiwan Hit by 6.4 Magnitude Quake, TSMC Evacuates Some Factories

A view of the traffic in Taipei, Taiwan January 17, 2025. (Reuters)
A view of the traffic in Taipei, Taiwan January 17, 2025. (Reuters)
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Southern Taiwan Hit by 6.4 Magnitude Quake, TSMC Evacuates Some Factories

A view of the traffic in Taipei, Taiwan January 17, 2025. (Reuters)
A view of the traffic in Taipei, Taiwan January 17, 2025. (Reuters)

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck a mountainous area of Taiwan's south on Tuesday near the city of Chiayi, the island's weather administration said, with reports of initial minor damage.

Chipmaker TSMC said it had evacuated staff at its factories in central and southern Taiwan.

The quake shook buildings in the capital, Taipei. The quake had a depth of 9.4 km (6 miles) with its epicenter in Dapu township, the weather administration said.

The fire department said three people were trapped in a damaged building in the city of Tainan and rescue workers were on their way.

The science park in Tainan, home to major factories including of chipmaker TSMC, said buildings were evacuated.

Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes.

In April, a 7.2 magnitude quake hit the east coast county of Hualien, killing 13 people.

More than 100 people were killed in a quake in southern Taiwan in 2016 and a 7.3 magnitude quake killed more than 2,000 people in 1999.