Settlement Talks Perking in Cyprus (4/11)

By Hannah Morris, Editorial Assistant

Serious settlement talks are underway to finally resolve one of Europe’s most intractable disputes: the Cyprus Problem.

Ambassador Andreas Mavroyiannis, lead negotiator for the Greek-Cypriot community, came to Washington last week with what he called “a new story to tell,” one that just may result in a united Cyprus as a bi-zonal bi-communal federal state. The cautious optimism that permeated Mavroyiannis’ demeanor stems from his perception that after forty years of false starts, all the relevant parties – Cyprus, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), Turkey, the US, Greece, and the EU appear to be ready to search again for a settlement that has proven so elusive over the years.

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UPDATE: ECB Holds Key Rates Steady but Open to “QE” (4/3)

By James David Spellman, Principal Strategic Communications LLC

Although pressure has been rising to address the perils of low inflation, the European Central Bank held rates steady (April 3) at its meeting, but its president, Mario Draghi, emphasized the bank stands united in taking steps, including unconventional ones that include asset purchases, to combat inflation.

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