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Territorial disputes on the table as Cyprus talks kick off

Xinhua, November 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

U.N.-mediated Cyprus talks focusing on territorial disputes opened here on Monday in a bid to pave the way for the reunification of the divided island by the end of 2016.

The island has been partitioned into two parts since 1974 after a Greek coup spurred Turkey to send forces to the northern one-third of the Mediterranean island.

While the Republic of Cyprus on the south is recognized by the international community as well as being a European Union member, the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is only recognized by Ankara.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci are set to discuss long-standing territorial issues as well as other outstanding matters in the presence of U.N. Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide.

This is the first time the two leaders conduct direct talks relating to territorial matters.

Discussions are scheduled to last until Nov. 11. Endi