European Commission President Jacques Claude Juncker and UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, discussed the progress in the UN led talks for a Cyprus settlement.
The two met during breakfast, ahead of Juncker`s meetings on the island on the first day of his visit to Nicosia.
UNFICYP Spokesperson Aleem Siddique has told CNA that the two “had a very productive breakfast meeting with Eide” where the latter updated President Juncker on the progress that has is being made in the peace talks.
He also said the two “talked about the essential EU character of a settlement that needs to be agreed here in Cyprus and how principles will be engrained within the final settlement that is agreed between the two leaders”.
Eide said in his Twitter account earlier on Thursday that “a meeting of minds with @JunckerEU on how to support the Cypriots` quest for reunification. #JunckerInCyprus”.
Juncker is now meeting with President Nicos Anastasiades at the Presidential Palace. Later on, he will meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and host a working lunch with the two leaders.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The leaders of the two communities, President Anastasiades and Akinci have been engaged in UN-backed talks since mid May with the aim to reunite the island under a federal roof.
CNA/EC/MM/2015
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY