Turkish Cypriot head 'on same page' as Greek leader

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (AA) – Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Tugrul Turkes was received by Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mustafa Akinci on Tuesday.

Before the start of the meeting in Lefkosa, President Akinci spoke to the media and highlighted the decades-long 'Cyprus issue', saying the aim of a "solution in 2016" was in progress.

Akinci said he and Greek Cypriot administration leader Nikos Anastasiades were "on the same page", and added: "We hope that we can move into a format in November where we'll have meetings abroad continuously."

The TRNC leader said in this way the "final format" to resolve the dispute "will be shaped with guarantors".

Tugrul Turkes said Turkey supported the "accelerated" solution process.

On Sunday, leaders of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities agreed the number of armed forces which should be present on both parts of the island.

In remarks made following face-to-face talks with Anastasiades in Lefkosa, Akinci said: "We have come to an agreement that there should be an equal number of armed security units and federal investigation units.

The Turkish Cypriot president said citizenship issues -- including legal residence, property rights, basic freedoms, and the right to vote -- had been the main agenda items Sunday.

Reunification talks resumed in May last year following Akinci’s election.

Cyprus was divided after a 1974 coup backed by the military junta in Athens was prevented by Turkey’s intervention as a guarantor power.