By Murat Demirci

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

A UN-brokered peace deal in Cyprus will benefit both sides of the island, president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said Tuesday.

“Peace and solution in Cyprus will benefit all parties,” Mustafa Akinci told reporters after a five-hour TRNC parliament meeting.

Akinci said he briefed leaders of six political parties as well as lawmakers and exchanged views ahead of his Feb. 26 meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.

We want to bring peace for both sides with negotiations under the U.N.,” he added.

Cyprus has seen an on-and-off peace process in recent years, including the latest initiative in Switzerland under guarantor countries Turkey, Greece, and Britain collapsing in 2017.

The UN has sought a deal to unite Cyprus under a federal umbrella that could also define the future of Europe's relations with Turkey, a key player in the conflict.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Greek Cypriot coup was followed by violence against the island's Turks, and Ankara's intervention as a guarantor power.