NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, has said that the Cyprus problem should be solved in order to advance NATO-EU cooperation.
In a press conference, Rasmussen called on all sides in Cyprus to advance, find a solution and unite the island.
There were many risks remaining in relation to the economy, and all parties will be better off by reuniting, Rasmussen added.
After solving the Cyprus problem, oil and natural gas drilling can be initiated, and beyond that, political obstacles regarding NATO-EU relations will be removed, he said.
Last month Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said an application for South Cyprus to join the Partnership for Peace organisation was being prepared.
The Partnership for Peace (PfP) is a programme of practical bilateral cooperation between individual Euro-Atlantic partner countries and NATO.
It allows partners to build up an individual relationship with NATO, choosing their own priorities for cooperation.
Both Turkey and Greece are members of NATO.
