Anastasiades 'will seek to meet' with Akinci

President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades will contact Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci within the next few days in a bid to arrange a meeting, Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou has said.

Speaking after the second meeting with the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy, Jane Holl Lute, Prodromou said that the dialogue between President Anastasiades and Mrs Lute continued tonight noting that “the President of the Republic reaffirmed with Lute – as he did with Spehar before – that he is willing to have a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.”

He also said that, as expected, issues relating to the guarantor powers had been raised during the meeting adding that “next, the UN official will have contacts with the guarantor powers”.

Asked whether the President would have direct contact with Akinci, the spokesman said that "the President of the Republic had already expressed his readiness to have a meeting with Akinci. This has also been confirmed through Lute and in the coming days he will have contact with Akinci. "

Asked when Lute would have contacts with the guarantors, the Spokesman said "this is up to Lute. I am not in a position to give you dates, "adding that" that`s how things will move forward. "

Invited to say if there is a date for Lute’s return to Cyprus, Prodromou replied negatively.

Asked whether Lute would be present at President Anastasiades’ meeting with Akinci, the spokesman said no, adding this is neither provided nor needed. “We will see in the next few days how a meeting can take place ", Prodromou said.

Asked whether the process has moved forward following Lute’s contacts, the Spokesman reiterated that "the dialogue continued, as expected, issues relating to guarantor powers have been raised, and Mrs Lute will now have contacts with the guarantor powers".