UN envoy: Cyprus peace talks will continue

By Murat Demirci

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (AA) – The UN’s special Cyprus envoy Monday said that the negotiations in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland have yet to find a way forward, but "negotiations with the leaders will continue."

Espen Barth Eide's remarks came after a meeting with Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akinci in Lefkosa.

Eide said there was no reason to cast doubt over efforts to find a solution as both the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders are willing to resolve the dispute.

Highlighting that the process in Mont Pelerin will not be an obstacle to the peace talks progressing, Eide said the way to overcome this will be to find a solution.

"We have not done this yet, but these contacts will have to continue. I do not think that's easy. The shuttle diplomacy will go on."

Eide said it was the leaders themselves who decided to return to the negotiating table, but that they have yet to agree on a date.

"However," Eide said, "they have been working on the dates in Switzerland, but more important than the date of the meeting is focusing on the big picture."

Eide underlined that in their 19 months, the Cyprus negotiations have faced some disagreements but no serious crises. "The bottleneck today has been the most serious congestion experienced since May 2015."

UN-mediated peace talks on Cyprus between Akinci and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades in Mont Pelerin ended last Monday without a solution.

Akinci previously blamed the Greek Cypriot side for the failure of the Swiss talks, saying the Greeks had taken a position on territory before agreeing on a rotating presidency and active participation on resolutions – crucial topics for Turkish Cypriots.

As Greek and Turkish Cypriots were displaced when the island was first divided 42 years ago, a possible federalist agreement would mean redrawing existing boundaries and potentially moving thousands of residents from their homes.

Reunification discussions resumed in May 2015, and both sides repeatedly expressed optimism that a solution could be found by the end of 2016 – next month.