Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades arrived in New York at around 10pm on Saturday night where he is set to hold talks with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the Cyprus Problem negotiations later today.
Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci is also expected to attend the meeting between Anastasiades and Ban.
Speaking to reporters immediately after his arrival, the President, stated: “I come from the EU Informal Meeting [Bratislava, Slovakia], where I had the opportunity to discuss important aspects and differences presently on the [Cyprus Problem] negotiating table.
“Significant progress has been seen, but there are equally important differences [that remain].
“I had the opportunity to have a series of meetings with EU leaders and will continue [to have more meetings] after New York.”
LAVROV, BIDEN, YI, SISI, ABBAS MEETINGS
After meeting with Ban, Anastasiades is expected to address the UN Security Council and hold talks with US Vice President Joe Biden, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The President also told journalists that he will also hold talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss regional issues.
Anastasiades is also scheduled to talk to two think tanks and the Economic Forum.
“I hope that during my stay here I will be given the opportunity to make a clear statement, so that everyone knows well, from the UN Secretary General to the Permanent Representatives and government officials, the present state of affairs on the Cyprus Problem,” outlined Anastasiades.
MAY, HOLLANDE VISITS
After his visit to New York, Anastasiades’ next international visit will be on September 26 where he will travel to London and meet with UK Prime Minister Theresa May on the 27th. Soon after his meeting with May, the President is then scheduled to visit Paris and meet with his French counterpart Francois Hollande a day later.
UN TALKS
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and illegally occupied the island’s northern third. Repeated peace talks have so far failed to reach a negotiated agreement to reunite the country.
Anastasiades and Akinci resumed talks aiming to reunify the island under a federal roof since May 2015.
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