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UN-backed Cyprus talks to resume: UN spokesman

Xinhua, April 4, 2017 Adjust font size:

The UN secretary-general's special adviser for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide on Tuesday announced that the Cyprus Talks will resume following consultations with both sides of the Greek and Turkish communities of Cyprus.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here that the resumption of the peace talks was announced after a meeting of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.

"The leaders will resume negotiations on April 11, and the meeting will be held under the auspices of Mr. Eide," Dujarric said.

Akinci was reported to walk out of the negotiations in early February after the all-Greek Cypriot parliament passed an amendment making it mandatory for teachers to speak in class about a 1950 referendum in which the Greek Cypriot community, which makes up 80 percent of the population, expressed its wish to unite with Greece.

That policy was changed in 1960 when Cyprus, until then a British colony, became an independent state. More recently, the reunification of Cyprus or part of it with any state, or the secession of any part of Cyprus was excluded in an agreement between Anastasiades and Akinci when they started negotiations 22 months ago.

Akinci's demand has caused a strong reaction from lawmakers, even those who fervently support the resumption of the negotiations, as it was considered a move to dictate to parliament how to vote.

The talks took place between Akinci and the Greek Cypriot leader, Nicos Anastasiades, in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland, on Nov. 7-11 and Nov. 20-21.

The United Nations has been involved in solving the Cyprus problem, trying to keep the peace and promote a political settlement for more than 45 years.

Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey occupied its northern part, in reaction to a coup by the military rulers of Greece, and moved Turkish Cypriots from all over the island into the enclave controlled by Turkish troops.

The leaders of both the Greek and Turkish communities of Cyprus have said that after four decades of negotiations they are close to a solution by the end of this year, provided they can overcome difficulties in agreeing on security arrangements and the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus. Enditem