Cyprus leaders still 'far apart' on peace summit — United Nations envoy

Cyprus president Nicos Anastasiades right Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci left and United Nations envoy Espen Barth Eide shake hands after a dinner at the Ledra Palace Hotel inside the UN controll
No deal on peace summit as UN envoy calls off Cyprus talks
Author

27 May, 2017

"Without a prospect for common ground, there is no basis for continuing this shuttle diplomacy", the Norwegian former foreign minister said in a short statement.

According to Eide, after their meeting on May 17, he has been engaged in shuttle diplomacy between President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and President of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Mustafa Akinci aimed at determining the modalities by which the outstanding issues could be finalized during the next talks in Geneva.

The island was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece.

It had been hoped that a second worldwide peace conference would be convened in Geneva in the coming weeks to finalise the details of the differences still outstanding.

"I briefed the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the Security Council in a joint meeting".

Mr Eide said he would consult with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the next steps.

UN-backed peace talks seek to reunite Cyprus under a federal roof.

Mr Anastasiades has proposed resolving the security issue first at a final summit before settling remaining disagreements, arguing this would ensure a successful outcome. The negotiations, though mediated by Eide, had been leader-led with both sides saying there would be no agreement until everything was agreed.

The government's drive to explore for offshore oil and gas has also clouded the negotiations, with Ankara calling for it to be halted until a settlement has been reached.

This process now looks in jeopardy, although a United Nations spokesperson put a fearless face on the setback.

"It was told us as of today that insisting on preconditions is an official approach of the Greek side. The process remains leader-led and we now have to hear from the leaders how they see a way forward", the spokesperson told AFP.

The current impasse concerns the 35,000 troops that Turkey keeps in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north.

But in recent months there has been a negative climate of blame and mistrust. The minority Turkish Cypriots say the troops are their only security guarantee.

Dozens of Greek and Turkish Cypriots have linked arms across a United Nations -controlled buffer zone cutting across ethnically divided Cyprus' capital of Nicosia to voice their support for a reunification agreement.


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