EU's top diplomat reiterates support for resumption of Cyprus talks after talking with Cypriot leaders  

Duvar English

EU High Representative Josep Borrell has said that the bloc is “fully committed to supporting" the resumption of U.N.-led negotiations for the Cyprus issue.

Borrell's statement came after he talked with Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar and Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades on Jan. 18.

The office of Tatar also released a statement with regards to the telephone conversation, saying the two politicians “held evaluations” before the U.N.-led informal meeting in February.

According to Turkey's state-run TRT broadcaster, Tatar told Borrell that it is only if “equal sovereignty and international status” are promoted that “a fair consensus can be reached” and “a cooperation between the two Cypriot sides can be built.”

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres intends to meet in February with Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders to gauge whether conditions are ripe to resume dormant peace talks.

The informal gathering will also bring together top officials from Cyprus’ three “guarantors,” Greece, Turkey and Britain. The meeting is seen as the linchpin to restarting negotiations. 

Cyprus has been split along ethnic lines since a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. Only Ankara recognizes Northern Cyprus as an independent state and it has no diplomatic relations with the government of Cyprus, which is a member of the EU.

The latest attempt at reunification between the two Cypriot sides collapsed in disarray in mid-2017. Each Cypriot side blames the other for the collapse.