Rival leaders back UN bid to relaunch Cyprus peace talks

·

The rival leaders of ethnically divided Cyprus have signaled their willingness to support a request from United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, to explore the possibility of reviving dormant reunification talks, the UN said on Tuesday.

The two leaders agreed to “positively respond” to the UN chief’s call for an informal five-plus-meeting that would, “in a conducive climate” and “at an appropriate stage,” test the waters for a possible return to talks after a 3.5 year hiatus, UN spokesman, Aleem Siddique, said in a written statement.

Elizabeth Spehar, U.N. Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNFICYP Mission, welcomes Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades in the buffer zone of Nicosia airport, Cyprus, November 3, 2020. Photo: Katia Christodoulou/Pool via REUTERS.

A ‘five-plus’ format would include representatives of Cyprus’ two communities, along with Greece, Turkey and Britain as the island’s guarantor powers, and also the United Nations.

The statement came after a two-hour meeting between the island nation’s Greek Cypriot president, Nicos Anastasiades, and Ersin Tatar, the newly elected leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots.

It was the two men’s first face-to-face meeting since Tatar’s election that afforded them the opportunity to put out feelers on where the other stands on the key issues that have prevented a breakthrough deal in nearly five decades of UN facilitated negotiations.

Elizabeth Spehar, U.N. Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNFICYP Mission welcomes Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, in the buffer zone of Nicosia airport, Cyprus, November 3, 2020. Photo: Katia Christodoulou/Pool via REUTERS.

The meeting, hosted by the head of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar, at her formal residence inside the island’s UN-controlled buffer zone, provided the leaders “an opportunity to get to know each other and to have their first informal exchange of views in a cordial atmosphere,” according to the UN statement.

Speaking after the meeting, Anastasiades said he’d prefer not to make remarks at this stage that might “pollute” the climate.

But he indicated that he and Tatar remain far apart on core issues including an envisioned federation which the two sides agreed decades ago would form the basis of any peace deal.

“Without doubt, there is a divergence of positions,” Anastasiades told reporters.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Pope Leo condemns ‘vile’ bombing at Greek Orthodox church in Damascus

Pope Leo XIV has condemned the recent suicide bombing at a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus as a “vile” act of terrorism.

Tens of thousands honour Mikis Theodorakis at centenary concert in Athens

Tens of thousands of people enjoyed a concert commemorating the centenary of the birth of legendary Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis.

Greek Prime Minister urges NATO allies to share defence burden fairly

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called for all NATO members to meet their defence spending commitments.

Greece condemns Turkey-Libya offshore agreement as ‘illegal’

Libya’s National Oil Company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkey’s state energy firm TPAO to explore four offshore zones.

Georgian woman arrested after cigarette allegedly sparks Chios wildfire

A woman has been arrested for allegedly causing one of the wildfires that recently ravaged the Greek island of Chios.

You May Also Like

Kayla Itsines teams up with Sweat co-founder to buy back fitness empire

Kayla Itsines and Tobi Pearce have bought back their digital fitness empire after selling it for $200 million to US fitness behemoth iFIT.

Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou sends additional support to Berala’s multicultural communities

"If you know someone who needs help, maybe they are a friend or relative, please help them understand the importance of getting tested," Steve Christou said.

Archbishop Makarios sends message to students starting new school year

My beloved children, Traditionally, the beginning of each school year is the starting point of a new, creative course, accompanied by feelings of joy, hope...