The negotiations between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders Nicos Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci for the reunification of Cyprus are to resume in Geneva on Wednesday 28 June.
Before this, the UN special representative, Espen Barth Eide, told press in Geneva on Tuesday 27 June that it was possible to find a solution on this unique occasion, but that there was a need for caution. He added that it was not easy and that there was no guarantee of success.
According to Eide, very important progress was made on five of the six chapters during discussions in January. This was on governance sharing issues, restoring confiscated property, economic issues, relations with the EU and the territorial division between the two communities. However, he said that when it comes to the issue of security, the points of view are diametrically opposed.
According to a European source, Turkey – which has some 35,000 soldiers stationed in the north of the island, in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is only recognised by Ankara – would like to move ahead in its relations with the EU (which are currently complicated) before moving ahead on the Cypriot issue. Turkey is reportedly ready to cut its military presence by 80%, but not to withdraw its contingent totally, according to a diplomatic source quoted by French press agency AFP.
The two Cypriot leaders will be joined, at least for the first day, by the foreign affairs ministers of the guarantor countries – Turkey, Greece and the United Kingdom. European Commissioner Vice-President Frans Timmermans will also attend, as an observer. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)