Cyprus talks possible with Turkish Cypriot cooperation, Letymbiotis says

If there is the same political will from the Turkish Cypriot side, the resumption of negotiations from the point where they have been interrupted can be achieved soon, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis told CNA on Wednesday.

Asked after the initial contacts of UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar in Cyprus on Tuesday, whether there are prospects for the resumption of talks, bearing in mind that the Turkish Cypriot side insists on a two-state solution, Letymbiotis said that these statements are known.

"We believe that through the appointment of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, if there is the same political will on the other side, the resumption of negotiations from the point where they have been interrupted can be achieved soon," he added.

Invited to comment on the reactions in the Turkish occupied north and the Turkish Foreign Ministry, about the UN Security Council resolution renewing UNFICYP’s mandate, the Spokesperon referred to the Foreign Ministry's statement and the President's statements.

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. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue.