Cypriots welcome reunification talks to decades-long dispute


Following a meeting held by the U.N. Special Adviser for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide at the U.N.'s office on the island on May 15 between Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, the Cypriot media has reported its contentment about the re-launch of the peace negotiations that were halted last year.While both Greek and Turkish Cypriots have expressed their contentment toward the resuming of talks, the Cypriot media has underlined the significance of the continuing resolution deals.Although Akıncı has announced that people crossing any of the seven north-south checkpoints along the U.N.-controlled buffer zone are no longer required to fill out a visa form, the Cypriots now expect the integration of GSM communication networks, which will allow for an integrated network in Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC). Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Özdil Nami also said on Sunday that both leaders are willing to resolve the integration of GSM networks and that they are working to prepare the required technical arrangements.During the four-hour meeting, Eide said that in a sign of their mutual commitment to peace, the two leaders have agreed to work on a number of steps aimed at building confidence. While Akıncı announced the dropping of visa forms, Anastasiades disclosed the coordinates of 28 minefields dotting a mountain range in the north. The Deputy President of the Democrat Party-National Forces (DP-UG) Serhat Kotak has reportedly said to the Cypriot media that the Turkish Cypriot leadership welcomed the re-launching of the stalled talks. He underlined that the Greek Cypriot leadership must share the coordinates of 28 minefields dotting a mountain range in the north with the public as part of confidence-building measures. Emphasizing the threat of the minefields, Kotak said it is a highly concerning matter for the Turkish Cypriot citizens.Furthermore, an article in the Cyrpus-Mail underlined that "Anastasiades and Akıncı should come to terms with the fact that the success of the talks rests with them, not with the EU or the permanent members of the Security Council." The Turkish Cypriot newspaper Gündem Kıbrıs interviewed the citizens to get their opinions on the recently reached deals. Those interviewed underlined their satisfaction in the talks and people have reportedly said the deals have "relieved" them.