The Cyprus issue, the drilling for hydrocarbons in Cyprus` exclusive economic zone and Cyprus` forthcoming Presidency of the EU, were discussed during a working visit to London by Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou Markoullis.

During a working breakfast with British Minister for Europe David Lidington, Markoullis referred to current developments in the Cyprus problem, in the light of a recent meeting in New York between the leaders of the two communities and the UN Secretary General.

Markoullis pointed out the Greek Cypriot side`s determination to reach a just settlement and assured that President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias was participating in talks in a constructive manner, a stance unfortunately not mirrored by the Turkish Cypriot side.

IN WHAT IS being seen by commentators as the winding up orders of the Cyprus talks, UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon has said his Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, will assess the situation in March.

The move comes after no-progress was recorded in the stumbling peace talks to end the decades-long division. However, the UNSG added that if Downer's assessment is positive, he intends to call an international conference on the Cyprus issue.

During his first press conference of his second term in office, Ban was asked about the two-day meeting which took place this week in New York on the Cyprus issue between himself and the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

Ban reiterated that the process is ''Cypriot-led and Cypriot-owned'', saying that he would not speak much about the detailed information of what had been discussed between the two leaders and himself, for confidentiality.

''Confidentiality is a very important element to help this process move. That is what I have been emphasizing to the two leaders – please keep confidentiality'', he continued.

The second installment, worth 1,32 billion euro, of a 2.5 billion-euro loan from the Russian Federation was received on Thursday by the Republic of Cyprus, to enhance the public sector's cash flow and cover the Republic's financing needs for 2012.

According to an official press release, issued by Ministry of Finance, the first installment, worth 590 million euro was received at the end of 2011 and the third and final installment (590 million euro) will be received at the end of March 2012.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Greece will eventually default on its debts, even if the nation reaches a deal with the private sector to restructure its debts, according to a panel of experts.

John Chambers, head of sovereign ratings at Standard & Poor's, said Tuesday that the deal being negotiated between Greece and private sector investors would "in all likelihood" qualify as a default. The proposed restructuring aims to reduce Greece's debt load to 120% of its economic output by 2020, from 160% currently.

Istanbul (CNN) -- Turkey's foreign ministry condemned Texas Gov. Rick Perry Tuesday for saying that Turkey was a "country that is being ruled by what many would perceive to be Islamic terrorists."

Perry made the statement during a spirited debated between Republican presidential candidates in South Carolina Monday night.

Most of Turkey was fast asleep during the live broadcast, and Turkish newspapers had already gone to print by the time Perry declared that Turkey had moved "far away from the country I lived in back in the 1970s United States Air Force. That was our ally that worked with us, but today we don't see that."

The Texas governor also argued that it was time for Washington to cut foreign aid to Ankara.

A spokesman for Turkey's foreign ministry fired back Tuesday, accusing Perry of making "baseless and improper claims." Perry defends verbal attacks on Turkey Rick Perry: In his own words In a statement e-mailed to CNN, Selcuk Unal said presidential candidates should "be more informed about the world and be more careful their statements."

"The unfortunate views of Perry are not shared in any case by Republican party supporters, considering the weak support he has received in public polls and primary elections," Unal concluded.

U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the State Department "absolutely and fundamentally" disagrees with Perry's statements.