'High hopes' of a united Cyprus as peace talks reach critical stage
HOPES have been raised for a peace deal in Cyprus, which could see the island reunified.
Talks are underway between President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci
Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci launched intensified talks on Tuesday covering the core issues of property, security and territorial adjustments.
Cyprus has been on an uneasy footing, separated by a barbed wire-riddled no man’s land since 1974, when Turkey invaded the north in response to an Athens-inspired coup attempt to unify with Greece.
The island has been divided since Turkey invaded in 1974
But now a UN-brokered deal on the island, which joined the European Union in 2004, could be close, officials have revealed.
UN Special Envoy Espen Barth Eide has said negotiations are now in a phase where nothing is off the table.
UN Special Envoy Espen Bart Eide has 'high hopes' of a deal
Speaking after a discussion between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, he said: “Some things are in brainstorming mode, some of them in negotiating mode, but there is no taboo to issues that can be discussed at least in a very close format between the leaders.”
Talks are set to take place until September 14, in the hope of thrashing out a reunification package that suits both sides on the ethnically and religiously-divided Mediterranean island.
Now this is really the time of Mr Anastasiades and Mr Akinci to bridge the gaps and my work is to help them as much as I can
Norwegian intermediary Mr Barth Eide said he had “high hopes” an accord could be reached and discussions had reached a crucial phase.
He added: “Now this is really the time of Mr Anastasiades and Mr Akinci to bridge the gaps and my work is to help them as much as I can.”
Talks between the two sides have raised the prospect of a united Cyprus
He said Ankara remained supportive of the process, but the coup attempt in Turkey in July was a reminder that Cyprus' window of opportunity may not “remain open forever”.
Both camps hope to reach a deal by the end of the year.