Cyprus Talks: Reunification talks at critical stage as leaders wait to decide venue of meeting abroad

Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades on Tuesday said talks aim at reunifying the divided island have reached a critical stage, and urged all the parties involved to engage positively in a bid to reach a settlement as soon as possible.

Anastasiades who gave his speech at the Stelios Bi-communal Awards, said a settlement must create a win-win situation for all Cypriots.

“As regards the current state of play in the negotiations, we have now reached a critical stage at which we expect all relevant interested parties and stakeholders to engage constructively and proceed with concrete and tangible steps, which will positively reinforce the negotiating process and our efforts of reaching a settlement as soon as possible.”

Anastasiades said a Cyprus settlement must be viable and functional, and must address the sensitivities and concerns of both communities.

He added that a settlement must also establish mutual respect, peaceful co-existence, and prosperous collaboration between all its citizens, irrespective of ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds.

Anastasiades also urged everyone to get involved, without exception, saying it was an opportunity to resolve the second longest standing problem faced by the UN.

“The involvement of all those countries, especially the members of the (UN) Security Council, which can contribute, is welcome, appreciate, and necessary,” he said.

Following Monday's meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustapha Akinci, Anastasiades said the decision on where discussions on the delicate issue of territory will take place will likely be decided at the leaders next meeting on Wednesday.

Anastasiades said they had discussed details of how “the various, either freedoms or rights, would be implemented, saying that there was, relative progress, which needs further discussion.”

“We focused on the essence of what we had before us, rather than determining the location,” adding that “probably this will happen on Wednesday.”

When asked on what dates the issues of territory would likely be discussed, Anastasiades said “on the 7 to the 11 of November, and likely in Switzerland”

Source: CyprusMAil