UN-backed talks on reunification of Cyprus to resume next month

The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders today continued their United Nations-backed negotiations aimed at reunifying the island of Cyprus and announced plans to resume the talks next month.

Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat – who began their full-fledged negotiations last week – discussed the issues of governance and power sharing today, UN spokesperson Marie Okabe said.

The two leaders agreed to resume talks, which are being held in the UN Protected Area in Nicosia, on both questions on 8 October as part of their efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement on the Mediterranean island.

In May, Mr. Christofias and Mr. Talat committed to a partnership that will comprise a Federal Government with a single international identity, along with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which will be of equal status.

The UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has been in place on the island since 1964 after the outbreak of inter-communal violence. It is tasked with preventing a recurrence of fighting, contributing to a return to normal conditions and the maintenance of law and order.