THE Tanaiste will visit Cyprus next week to offer advice on promoting peace and discuss Cyprus's attempt to join the European Union. Mr Spring's visit is scheduled to run from next Tuesday until the following Friday.
"The Minister will discuss with his hosts a range of issues "including current developments in the Cyprus problem and the country's desire for membership of the European Union," said a government spokesman in Cyprus. "He will also share with them his experience in promoting peace and reconciliation in Ireland."
The Cypriot government said it expected the EU to name an official soon to co ordinate efforts to end the island's division, a problem that has defied mediation for more than 20 years.
Turkey seized the northern part of Cyprus during an invasion in 1974, sparked by a coup engineered by the junta ruling Greece at the time. The Turkish Cypriot enclave declared independence in 1983, but is recognised only by Ankara.
Mr Spring is one of three EU foreign ministers who have special responsibility for the bloc's external relations.