Cyprus talks hit 'snag over rotating presidency issue'

By Murat Demirci

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (AA) - The Cyprus issue has hit a snag over the rotating presidency issue, according to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus president Thursday.

Mustafa Akinci will meet newly-reelected Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades on April 16.

After receiving Prime Minister Tufan Erhuman at the presidential palace, Akinci spoke to reporters regarding his projected meeting with Anastasiades.

Akinci said his meeting does not mean the restarting of Cyprus talks but a search of intentions for the talks.

"It is clear that we have reached a junction," he said, adding that they have to decide to either walk together or part ways.

"The issue [Cyprus talks] has hit a snag over the rotating presidency issue," he said.

He said the rotating presidency issue of a Greek Cypriot serving two years and a Turkish Cypriot serving one year is an absolute must for a deal to be reached.

"This has to be explained to the Greek Cypriot community," Akinci added.

The UN sought a peace deal to unite Cyprus under a federal umbrella that could also define the future of Europe's relations with Turkey, a key player in the conflict.

The latest attempt to reunify the long-divided Mediterranean island ended in failure after two years of negotiations in 2017.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Greek Cypriot coup was followed by violence against the island's Turks, and Ankara's intervention as a guarantor power.