Roundup: Leaders of two Cypriot sides to continue search for solution

The leaders of the Greek and Turkish communities of Cyprus are preparing to move to the next critical stage of their negotiations in quest of a solution to the political problem of the island, they said Monday.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said after talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci that adequate progress has been made in the negotiations making the next move possible.

"There has been enough progress up to now which would justify the next stage involving the discussion of the territorial problem," Anastasiades said.

Anastasiades had earlier in the negotiations rejected a suggestion by Akinci to move the talks abroad to deal with the crucial issue of territorial adjustments.

Turkey occupied 37.5 percent of Cypriot territory in a military operation in 1974, reacting to a coup by the military rulers of Greece at the time.

Discussion of the issue is expected to be difficult as both leaders are under pressure by their communities to stand fast on how much occupied territory will be ceded under a solution agreement.

Asked when the next stage of the negotiations will start, Anastasiades said that there were still some pending issues that needed to be ironed out.

Akinci said that he is optimistic about the final outcome, as there has been progress in the other four chapters discussed.

"There is no reason to be pessimistic, but there is still much work to be done," Akinci said. Endit