Turkish Cypriot leader meets UN special envoy

By Murat Demirci

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci on Sunday received the UN special envoy to Cyprus at the presidential palace.

Akinci and Jane Holl Lute discussed whether a basis could be formed to ensure the maintenance of negotiations regarding the Cyprus issue.

Turkish Cypriot presidential spokesman Baris Burcu was also present at the meeting that lasted for one-and-a-half hour.

Lute will also meet Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades on Sunday.

In 2004, negotiations over Cyprus resumed after a UN-backed Annan Plan to reunify the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities.

The reunification talks -- brokered by UN Special Cyprus Envoy Espen Barth Eide -- were launched in May 2015 to discuss a permanent settlement for the divided Mediterranean island.

There has been an on-and-off peace process over recent years, the latest failed initiative having taken place in Crans-Montana, Switzerland in July 2017 under the auspices of guarantor countries Turkey, Greece and the U.K.

By Murat Demirci

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci on Sunday received the UN special envoy to Cyprus at the presidential palace.

Akinci and Jane Holl Lute discussed whether a basis could be formed to ensure the maintenance of negotiations regarding the Cyprus issue.

Turkish Cypriot presidential spokesman Baris Burcu was also present at the meeting that lasted for one-and-a-half hour.

Lute will also meet Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades on Sunday.

In 2004, negotiations over Cyprus resumed after a UN-backed Annan Plan to reunify the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities.

The reunification talks -- brokered by UN Special Cyprus Envoy Espen Barth Eide -- were launched in May 2015 to discuss a permanent settlement for the divided Mediterranean island.