In a statement released earlier today, Eide reported that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akýncý, and the Greek Cypriot leader, Nicos Anastasiades, were now focused on “unresolved core issues” related to governance, property, and criteria on territory, as they both continued their pursuit of a comprehensive settlement for the political situation facing the Mediterranean island.

“Akýncý and Anastasiades discussed those issues at length in a pragmatic and constructive manner, making further progress,” the UN official declared. “They provided new guidance to the negotiators who will meet three more times this week to carry forward their work on core issues.”

On the topic of confidence building measures, the statement read, both leaders “took stock of the work done to implement already agreed confidence building measures” and also exchanged views on the economic prospects that would arise from a solution.

“With substantive negotiations now at the centre of their work, Akýncý and Anastasiades reiterated their resolve to reach a comprehensive settlement as soon as possible,” Eide continued, highlighting the “positive climate” characterizing the negotiations.

The next meeting between the Cypriot leaders is set for 10 July.

Photo: UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)