Turkey boosts Turkish Cypriot profile

Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have agreed on closer ties, which would allow Turkish Cypriots to join Turkey's embassy staff and foreign delegations.

Turkey says its agreement with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus -- a breakaway state recognised only by Ankara -- will give Turkish Cypriots an international role.

The move follows Turkish anger over the European Union's decision to begin membership talks in April with the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government.

The BBC Ankara Correspondent says the action is a symbolic warning at a time of increasing tensions over Cyprus.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service