17/02/2017 (Agence Europe) – Although discussions on 16 February were rudely interrupted because of a controversial issue on education, the European Commission's spokesperson Alexander Winterstein encouraged the leaders of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (recognised only by Turkey) to continue their negotiations on the island's reunification. "We encourage the leaders to overcome this current accident and to continue the talks so that as soon as possible an overall settlement can be found", Winterstein stated, adding that "if each does his best, this solution should be completely feasible". He said that in all difficult discussions it was normal for there to be "highs and lows". The parliament of the Republic of Cyprus voted for the reintroduction in schools of the commemoration of a referendum organised in 1950 in which the Greek Cypriots largely voted for the island to become part of Greece. (CG)