Cyprus leaders meeting underway

An informal meeting between President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, is underway at the UN Protected Area in Nicosia in an effort to find common ground for the two leaders to resume negotiations after more than two years.

Their morning meeting is the first in the last five and a half months and takes place amid Turkish illegal activities in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone and unilateral moves by the Turkish Cypriot side in Varosha, the fenced-off part of Famagusta.

Both leaders were greeted by the UNSG's Special Representative in Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar. The meeting takes place in Spehar`s residence in the United Nations protected area of the now defunct Nicosia airport.

In a gesture indicating that it is up to the two sides to take active steps in order to reach a compromise Spehar removed her chair and exited the room leaving the two leaders to discuss amongst themselves.