Political equity a must in Cyprus negotiations: Spox

By Murat Demirci

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot presidential spokesman said Wednesday the resumption of negotiations in Cyprus depended on Turkish Cypriots' political equity and active participation in the decision mechanism.

In a written statement, Baris Burcu pointed out that Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades held a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Mustafa Akinci, and mentioned his will to meet in person.

"It is of no doubt that Turkish Cypriots' political equity and participation to the decisions are accepted in order to restart the Cyprus negotiations while remaining faithful to the past agreements," the statement read.

It noted Akinci told Anastasiades he expected to listen to concrete proposals on expanding the authorization power of the founding states, and both leaders agreed to maintain negotiations to meet in late February under the host of Elizabeth Spehar, UN special representative in Cyprus.

Cypriot leaders last gathered in late October under Spehar's hosting in the buffer zone, patrolled by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.

Within the framework of the Cyprus negotiations, a conference was held in Switzerland's Crans-Montana in July 2017. However, the Cyprus Conference could not reach a result.

The Eastern Mediterranean island has been divided since 1974, when a Greek Cypriot coup was followed by violence against the island's Turks, and Ankara's intervention as a guarantor power.