Cypriot leaders agree on treaty-signing powers

By Murat Demirci

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

The leaders of Cyprus’s Turkish and Greek communities agreed Wednesday the formula for each side to enter international treaties as part of a reunified, federal state, the Turkish Cypriot president said.

“The most significant issue we handled today was the authorization of constituent states to sign international treaties,” Mustafa Akinci said. “That part has already completed.”

Akinci and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades are taking part in face-to-face talks this month as they try to reach agreement on issues where there is broad agreement before tackling more contentious issues such as territory and security.

It was the second meeting, chaired by UN envoy Espen Barth Eide, this week with a further meeting due Friday.

Akinci said the focus on external relations, the distribution of power, property and the economy were the main agenda items Wednesday.

He noted that states within a federal system were able to sign international treaties on certain areas, citing Belgium, Canada and Germany as examples.

Reunification talks resumed in May last year following Akinci’s election. Cyprus was divided after a 1974 coup backed by the military junta in Athens was prevented by Turkey’s intervention as a guarantor power.

By Murat Demirci

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

“The most significant issue we handled today was the authorization of constituent states to sign international treaties,” Mustafa Akinci said. “That part has already completed.”

It was the second meeting, chaired by UN envoy Espen Barth Eide, this week with a further meeting due Friday.

Akinci said the focus on external relations, the distribution of power, property and the economy were the main agenda items Wednesday.

He noted that states within a federal system were able to sign international treaties on certain areas, citing Belgium, Canada and Germany as examples.