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2nd LD Writethru: Negotiations at critical stage as Cyprus talks kick off: UN chief

Xinhua, November 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Monday that Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders had reached a "critical juncture in their talks" as negotiations addressing territorial disputes opened here also on Monday.

"The two leaders have expressed their hope that this meeting will pave the way for the last phase of the talks in line with their shared commitment to do their utmost in order to reach a settlement within 2016," Ban told reporters in a press conference.

"The prospect of a solution in Cyprus is within their reach. Expectations in both communities are high," the diplomat added.

The hope is that UN-mediated talks will pave the way towards reunification of the island by the end of the year. Cyprus has been divided in two since 1974 after a Greek coup spurred Turkey to send forces to the northern part of the small Mediterranean state.

While the southern Greek Cypriot side is recognised by the international community and is a member of the European Union, only Ankara officially recognises the break-away northern region.

Both 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 UN Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide.

This is the first time both leaders have conducted direct talks relating to territorial matters. These are seen as crucial if any future agreement on the reunification of the island is to be reached.

"Cyprus offers tremendous hope to people around the world that long-standing conflicts can be resolved peacefully through negotiations," Ban continued.

"I call on all interested parties, especially the guarantor powers Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom, as well as the wider international community, to support the leaders in their efforts to finally overcome the division of their island," he concluded.

Discussions are scheduled to come to a close on Nov. 11. Endit