Meetings on Peace Talks over Cyprus Dispute Resume

Following the resumption of peace talks on the dispute over Cyprus between the Turkish and the Cypriot sides earlier this month, negotiators from both Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot delegations were set to make simultaneous cross visits to the guarantor powers, Turkey and Greece on Thursday. The Greek-Cypriot official Andreas Mavroyiannis was scheduled to hold talks in the Turkish capital city of Ankara with the Under Secretary of the Foreign Ministy, Feridun Sinirlioglu, while Turkish-Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay was expected in Athens for a meeting with the Secretary General of the Greek Foreign Ministry, Anastasis Mitsialis. According to reports, Greek-Cypriot diplomats aimed to discuss specific issues, including the re-opening of the deserted district of Varosha, which was abandoned after the Turkish invasion in 1974. However, according to the Turkish newspaper “Hürriyet Daily News,” Turkish officials suggested that the contacts were mainly aimed to overcome psychological barriers. “I believe a healthy dialogue can be built through meetings in Ankara and Athens. These discussions will develop a reliable environment of dialogue that will enable the removal of prejudices. What is crucial is removing prejudices,” the Turkish news agency “Anadolu Agency” quoted Ozersay as saying. Turkey invaded northern Cyprus in 1974 after a coup was staged on the island, which had been ordered by the Greek military Junta of the time. Turkey, who saw the operation as a peace-keeping mission, nowadays provides political and financial support to a breakaway Turkish-Cypriot state, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which was declared along the northern part of the island and which is recognized only by Ankara.

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