MOSCOW (Sputnik) — President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci agreed to meet on January 9 in Geneva for the next round of talks on the reunification of the island, Espen Barth Eide, the Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus, said in a statement.
"In line with their joint resolve to reach a comprehensive settlement as soon as possible, they further decided that they will meet in Geneva on the 9th of January 2017. On the 11th of January, they will present their respective maps. From the 12th of January, a Conference on Cyprus will be convened with the added participation of the guarantor powers. Other relevant parties shall be invited as needed," the statement issued late on Thursday read.
Cyprus has been partitioned since 1974, when Turkey occupied the island's north, later proclaiming the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Turkey maintains military presence in TRNC, which is only recognized by Ankara as an independent state.
Anastasiades and Akinci have been involved in the UN-led reunification talks since May 2015.
