Cyprus update: Significant progress reached on certain matters, president Nicos Anastasiades

Cyprus: Greek Cypriot president, Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci resumed reunification talks between the two sides on Thursday after the Tuesday's scheduled meeting was called off due to the forest fire outbreak in Cyprus.

Expressing his thought after the meeting on Thursday, president Nicos Anastasiades said he hope that the talks would eventually lead to an agreement that would be acceptable to both communities.

“I must say that there was significant progress as regards internal cooperation between the federal government and the federal states,” Anastasiades said.

Discussion on the power of the states to sign international agreements continued, he added.

When questioned to explain if Turkish Cypriot side had insisted on having the power to sign agreements on issues beyond education, culture, and sports, Anastasiades said the issue was being discussed.

“I think the discussion is in the right direction,” he said.

“There are still important issues that must be discussed,” Anastasiades said. “At present, there is progress, and I could say, encouraging progress on the matters discussed.”

The two leaders had agreed to intensify negotiation talks by meeting twice a week til the end of the year.

“Consequently, let us hope that gradually, through this intensified dialogue, we will finally arrive somewhere that could be acceptable to both communities.”

 Source: Cyprus Mail