Mustafa Akinci

The leaders of the ethnically divided east Mediterranean island of Cyprus are ready to meet with the UN secretary-general next month to map out possible next steps toward a resumption of formal reunification talks, officials said Friday.

Ahead of Friday's crucial meeting between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar issued new threats against Nicosia Thursday, saying that no one should "test our strength, our force, as the price will be heavy."

Ankara will not accept "a usurpation" of the rights of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots "with a fait accompli" in the Eastern Mediterranean, the country's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Thursday.

Ahead of Friday's crucial meeting between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, Turkey's Energy Minister Fatih Donmez has announced that a second exploration vessel will be dispatched to the Eastern Mediterranean by the end of August.

The prospects for the scheduled 9 August meeting between Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci are hardly optimistic.

They come among heightened Turkish threats and blatant violations of international law and Ankara'as continued illegal drilling in Cyprus EEZ (exclusive economic zone).

UN Secretary-General's special envoy Jane Holl Lute expressed hope that an informal meeting between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci on Friday will yield positive results.
She was further quoted as saying the UN diplomat will return to the island in the next weeks.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades is meeting with party leaders on Monday at his residence in Troodos, ahead of a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci on August 9.

Greece accused Turkey of undermining security in the eastern Mediterranean by drilling for oil and gas around Cyprus, making some of the strongest comments on the issue from Athens' newly elected government.

On his first visit to Cyprus since being elected on July 7, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that ending the occupation of the divided island's north by Turkey is a "top priority," as reunification without the departure of Turkish troops would be "inconceivable."

The Cypriot government closely follows developments and the Turkish Cypriot side's actions with regard to the closed off area of Turkish occupied Famagusta, known as Varosha, a government source has told CNA, noting that representations have been made where they ought to be made.