US Secretary of State John Kerry had a telephone conversation on Thursday with the new Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, to whom he reaffirmed the US support “for the negotiation process conducted under the auspices of the UN and Special Advisor Eide to reunify the island as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation”.
According to State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf, Kerry “congratulated Mustafa Akinci on his election and wished him well as he assumes his role as leader of the Turkish Cypriot community”.
She said finally that the Secretary of State reiterated the willingness of the US to assist the negotiation process in any way the parties find useful.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.
The UN has announced that Eide will be in Cyprus between May 4 – 8 to continue preparations for the resumption of Cyprus peace talks, following the “election” of the new Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.
CNA/AZ/AGK/ΜΚ/2015
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY