Cyprus cancels annual military manoeuvres amid reunification talks

Cypriot Defence Minister Costas Papacostas announced on Saturday (October 9th) that the country will cancel its annual military manoeuvres in order to facilitate ongoing talks on reunifying the divided island. This is the third year in a row that Cyprus has cancelled the exercises since talks to reunify the Greek and Turkish communities began in September 2008. The drills were to take place on October 19th to 23rd. Papacostas urged Turkey to cancel its exercises with Turkish Cypriots in response.