Greece and Cyprus forge common front before Geneva UN talks

·

The President of the ethnically divided island nation of Cyprus met with Greece’s Prime Minister on Wednesday before informal talks to be held in Switzerland next week.

The Geneva talks will be attended by representatives of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, the three guarantor powers — Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom — and the United Nations. They come after a hiatus of more than three years in negotiations aiming to resolve the island’s decades-long division.

Cypriot President, Nicos Anastasiades, described the Geneva meeting as an “important… new effort” that would allow UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, to gauge whether there is enough common ground to restart formal peace talks.

The Cypriot President (left) met with Greece’s Prime Minister on Wednesday. Photo: AP Photo/Petros G.

READ MORE: Erdogan tells Greek PM to ‘know his limit,’ while ruling out a unified Cyprus.

“Our effort is not to usurp anyone’s rights. Our effort is to find a way for… both communities to feel safe, and for the human rights of both communities of the entire Cypriot people to be guaranteed,” Anastasiades said at the start of his meeting with Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Cyprus has been split into an internationally recognised Greek Cypriot south and a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north since a 1974 Turkish invasion sparked by a coup to unite the island with Greece. The breakaway state in the north is recognised only by Turkey, which doesn’t recognise the government in the south. Numerous rounds of UN mediated peace talks since have failed to reunite the island.

READ MORE: Erdogan backs two-state solution during tense visit to occupied Cyprus.

Greece and Cyprus forge common front before Geneva UN talks. Photo: AP Photo / Petros G.

The last push for a peace deal came in mid-2017 but ended acrimoniously. It also led to an apparent shift in the stated aim of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots from reunifying the country as a federation of Greek and Turkish speaking zones to a two-state deal.

Greece and the internationally recognised Cypriot government in the south are adamant they wouldn’t accept a two-state solution formalising the country’s partition.

The talks come at a time of frosty relations between Greece and Turkey over maritime boundaries and energy exploration rights in the Mediterranean.

READ MORE: Rival leaders back UN bid to relaunch Cyprus peace talks.

Source: AP News.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Sydney Olympic and South Melbourne set for derby showdown at Jubilee Stadium

Sydney Olympic and South Melbourne reignite their rivalry at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium for another chapter in the Australian Championship.

Sydney Olympic AGM: Hanlin tackles logo backlash, funding offers and a new direction

Sydney Olympic FC held its AGM on Tuesday, where President Damon Hanlin presented a wide-ranging update on the club’s future direction.

A legacy continued: Celebrating 50 years of the Navarino Society of SA

The 50th anniversary of the Navarino (Pylion) Society of South Australia was marked with a night of pride, nostalgia, and optimism.

Renos Haralambidis reflects on time, art, and the spirit of Hellenism during Sydney visit

Greek filmmaker Renos Haralambidis concluded an insightful and warmly received visit to Sydney, which featured his entire body of work.

Oakleigh Grammar marks OXI Day with heartfelt tributes and student-led performances

With emotion, pride, and deep respect for history, Oakleigh Grammar held its annual celebration for OXI Day on Tuesday, October 28. 

You May Also Like

15-year-old Michaela Loukas paves the way for women in STEM

At only 15 years old, Michaela Loukas was selected to participate in the National Computer Science School (NCSS) program run by Grok Academy. The NCSS...

Giannis Antetokounmpo says he hopes to end career in Greece

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has revealed he hopes to finish his basketball career in his native Greece after his NBA tenure.

Oakleigh Grammar announces plans for new community pool at Annual Business Breakfast

Business leaders, students, staff and dignitaries came together for Oakleigh Grammar’s annual Business Breakfast on Thursday August 24.