Cyprus peace process

In their first meeting since February, Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said they had a constructive exchange of views and would continue to work with a United Nations envoy.

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades met on Aug. 9 after a five-month break and agreed to meet again in September.

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.

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.

The informal meeting between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci is scheduled to take place on August 9 at 10.30 p.m., according to government spokesperson Prodromos Prodromou.
The UN has urged both sides to come to an agreement on the way forward in the hope that this time around negotiations will be fruitful.

Turkish army will never hesitate to take the same step as 45 years ago "if needed for the lives and security of Turkish Cypriots," Turkey's president said on July 20.

Greek Cypriot party leaders on July 16 rejected an offer from the Turkish Cypriot president to create a cooperation mechanism for joint exploration and profit-sharing of hydrocarbon resources around the island of Cyprus, according to local media.