Military history of Cyprus

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has commended the two heads of the island of Cyprus for their "efforts and leadership" in peace talks on the divided island, adding that significant progress had been made in the negotiations. 

Who managed to convince the Greek Cypriot leadership to drop its intransigence and agree to meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader in the presence of the U.N. secretary-general? Was it the Americans, or the British, or combined brinkmanship?

European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said Jan. 15 that he was "very confident" that negotiators will reach a final agreement to reunite Cyprus within the next six months.

The responsibility for re-energizing Turkey's accession process will belong to the European Union even in the event that the ongoing Cyprus talks fail to produce a breakthrough, Turkey's EU minister has said, asking the bloc to keep its promises toward Ankara.

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on Tuesday met with UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide at the foreign ministry to discuss the latest developments on Cyprus issue.

Mr. Eide later described the discussion he had with Mr. Kotzias as constructive.

UN Special Adviser for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide is currently in Athens to meet with Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias. Their meeting is scheduled for 15:00pm at the foreign ministry.

The two officials will mainly discuss the latest developments in the Greek-Cypriot and the Turkish-Cypriot negotiations over the solution of the Cyprus issue.

Turkish Cyprus contractors have inked a deal with their Turkish counterparts to rebuild the "ghost town" of Varosha, as hopes of finding a peaceful solution to the Cyprus issue increased due to the accelerated talks between the leaders of the Turkish and Greek communities on the island.  

The U.N.'s top official on the Cyprus issue has vowed that a final deal to reunite the divided east Mediterranean island will avoid any repeat of the sufferings of Turkish Cypriots in the 1960s, saying a "solid conclusion on governance" will guarantee the security of both Turkish and Greek Cypriots.

The U.N. Secretary-General's Special Advisor on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, met with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu behind closed doors in Ankara late on Dec. 8, discussing the latest developments in talks to find a peaceful solution to the Cyprus issue.

Peace is within reach in Cyprus, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said, a day before the two Cypriot leaders met on Dec. 4 as part of the peace talks.