UN Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide stated that Friday represents a “crucial day” for the talks in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland between President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci.
Eide noted he has expectations “that we will get it right.”
In statements outside a restaurant in Montreux where a dinner for the leaders and their negotiating teams was held, Eide noted that “a lot of progress has been made but there are outstanding issues,” reported CNA English.
Anastasiades and Akinci are set to conclude week-long negotiations on the territorial issue on Friday.
“We have had a very, very interesting week. Very hard work by both leaders and the negotiators and the negotiating teams on the most difficult issues of the Cyprus Problem,” added Eide.
“NO TABOOS”
The UN official further noted that both leaders are “now in a phase of the process where there are no taboos. Everything is on the table.”
Eide added on Thursday: “I will echo what both Mr. Akinci and Mr. Anastasiades have just been saying that tomorrow is a crucial day, maybe one of the most important days in this entire process.”
When questioned by a journalist how optimistic he is on a solution being reached, he replied “it is possible, but I am also aware of the challenges that we still have to overcome.”
“IT’S AN EMOTIONALLY CHARGED ISSUE”
The UN Special Advisor on Cyprus further stated that “we have never had a situation where the leaders of the two communities have directly negotiated these issues.”
Eide outlined that “it’s their [Anastasiades and Akinci’s] choice, it’s their process and I think we all need to understand that it is hard. This is an emotionally charged issue for both sides.”
BACKGROUND
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and illegally occupied its northern third.
Anastasiades and Akinci have been engaged in UN-led negotiations since May 2015, with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.
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