Peace talks 'not over’, says Turkish Cypriot head

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mustafa Akinci said Sunday that Cyprus peace talks will resume in Switzerland.

"I consider the idea that it [talks] remain conclusive as a pessimist approach. Because this process is not over," Akinci told reporters at Ercan Airport after he returned from Switzerland.

Akınci and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades were engaged in sustained negotiations in Mont Pelerin since Nov. 7 under the auspices of the UN.

The high-level talks will resume in Geneva on Nov. 20.

Akinci said the talks were suspended for one week at the request of Anastasiades.

"Therefore, the process will resume in Switzerland. That is the agreement reached," Akinci added.

He also said Turkish Cypriots will continue with their "well-intentioned efforts".

Reunification talks between the Greek and Turkish communities on the island resumed in May 2015 and are expected to be resolved by the end of this year with the formation of a federal administration.

The eastern Mediterranean island was divided into a Turkish Cypriot state in the north and a Greek Cypriot administration in the south after a 1974 military coup was followed by the intervention of Turkey as a guarantor power.