The UK is working with the United Nations to retain momentum in bringing lasting peace to Cyprus, British Minister of State responsible for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan has said.
Sir Alan Duncan, British Minister of State responsible for Europe and the Americas
Duncan met on Wednesday with the UN top envoy on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide in Greece.
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci are about to meet in Geneva Switzerland on January 9-11 in the context of the UN-sponsored talks to discuss all outstanding issues for a Cyprus settlement and exchange maps. On January 12 a conference on Cyprus will be convened in the presence of the guarantor powers (Greece, Turkey and the UK) and other relevant parties as needed to discuss the issue of guarantees and security.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. President Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci have been engaged in UN-backed talks since May 2015 with a view to reunify the island under a federal roof.
