Biden encourages Cyprus leaders to continue negotiations for settlement
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
US Vice President Joe Biden has encouraged the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, namely President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, to continue negotiations for a Cyprus settlement.
A White House spokesperson has said in a written statement that Biden spoke by phone with President Anastasiades and Akinci and “encouraged the leaders to continue negotiations and expressed his confidence in the leaders` ability to secure a settlement that would reunify Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal federation to the benefit of all Cypriots”.
Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci are engaged in UN-led talks with an aim to reunify the country under a federal roof. In November, they held two separate sessions of talks in Switzerland, which did not produce results.
Berlin confident leaders will continue efforts, German Ambassador tells CNA
Germany is confident that the leaders will continue to do their utmost to bring the talks to a successful conclusion in the weeks to come, German Ambassador in Nicosia, Nikolai von Schoepff, told the Cyprus News Agency.
Invited to comment on the recent developments at the Cyprus talks, following the failure to achieve progress after two negotiating rounds in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland, the Ambassador told CNA that “the German government is following the negotiation process very closely”, adding that “Germany is confident that the leaders will continue to do their utmost to bring the talks to a successful conclusion in the weeks to come”.
He also stressed that Germany will continue to offer its support and share relevant experiences from the German unification process.
“A just and lasting settlement reunifying the island is more important than ever and would not only benefit all Cypriots but also send an signal of hope that the peaceful solution of conflicts in the troubled region of the Eastern Mediteranean is possible.”, the German Ambassador told CNA.
The Republic of Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci are engaged in UN-led talks with an aim to reunify the country under a federal roof. In November, they held two separate sessions of talks in Switzerland, which did not produce results.
CNA – Athena Arsalidou
CYPRUS/Nicosia 24/11/2016 12:10