Cypriot presidents ready to resume peace talks

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders have said they are open to resume peace talks after they stalled again this week. The two sides are deadlocked over the issue of territory and security, Deutsche Welle reports.

Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said on Wednesday, November 23 he was willing to resume UN-sponsored peace talks with Turkish Cypriots after the latest round of talks to reunite the island stalled earlier this week.

Anastasiades and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Mustafa Akinci met for two days in Switzerland this week, but talks collapsed on Tuesday after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on the internal borders of a future bi-communal federal state.

"I want to assure that I am determined and ready to take the necessary steps to continue the dialogue," Anastasiades said in a televised address on Wednesday, adding he was in contact with EU leaders to ensure the door remains open to further talks. "I am ready to continue the dialogue where it broke off," he said.

Akinci, meanwhile, said he spoke with US Vice President Joe Biden, who has led Washington's diplomacy on the Cyprus conflict, and confirmed his continued desire to reach a solution to the conflict despite the latest deadlock. Turkish Cypriot media also reported Akinci delivered a similar message to the UN.