Both sides calling for talks to resume 'as soon as possible'

Νegotiations for the Cyprus problem should be restarted “as soon as possible”, for a solution only in the framework of a united federal Cyprus, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties said on Wednesday after their regular meeting at Ledra Palace hotel in the Nicosia buffer zone, in the framework of the bi-communal dialogue under the auspices of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Nicosia.

A joint communiqué said that the leaders and the representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties participating in the bi-communal dialogue under the auspices of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic met for their regular meeting on 30 November 2022 at the Ledra Palace.

During the meeting, it adds, they expressed opinions on the topic proposed by the hosting party - United Cyprus Party (BKP): “Cyprus problem can only be solved by reaching a federal solution. What kind of common struggle should be organized to reach a united Cyprus?”

“They agreed that negotiations should be restarted as soon as possible and that the Cyprus problem can be solved only in the framework of a united federal Cyprus, according to the relevant UN resolutions and the EU acquis communautaire”, the joint communiqué said.

It also said, that, they further expressed the view that the Karpasia peninsula, “just as all other ecologically sensitive areas in Cyprus, should remain to be used for purely environmental and cultural purposes and not as military areas”.

According to the communiqué, the next meeting will be held on Wednesday 25 January 2023, with Cyprus Green Party as hosting party.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.