US makes favorable changes in TRNC visa regulations

According to the new regulations, Turkish Cypriots can be given two-year visas that permit two entries, the U.S. Embassy in Greek Cyprus told the Turkish Cypriot news agency, TAK.

The new regulations will be particularly beneficial for Turkish Cypriot students in the United States, said the embassy, while warning Turkish Cypriots who want to travel to the States to apply early for a visa.

The move came as part of U.S. gestures aimed at gradually ending the isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) after it had voted in an April referendum in favor of reunification with the Greek Cypriots while the Greek side overwhelmingly voted against a U.N.-proposed reunification plan.

Last month, KKTC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat was received by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington, D.C.

The KKTC is recognized only by Turkey, unlike the Greek Cypriot administration in the south of the island, which has received international recognition as the government of the island.