Cyprus Peace Talk Update: There is no issue if the EU decides to be present in Cyprus peace talk, Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci has said

Mustafa Akinci

Following an effort to make sure both the Turkish side and Greek side of the divided island (Cyprus) Mustafa Akinci, the leader of Turkish Cypriots has said in an interview, he has no issue of an EU representative during the Geneva meetings with the Greek Cypriot side that will be held in January, 2017.

Adding, Akinci told New Europe, that the EU had an observer 12 years ago, when both sides were negotiating the Annan plan, as the UN blueprint was known.

Akinci said: "EU representative can also be present during the forthcoming meetings in Geneva".

"We don’t have any objection to that, but we have to agree because so far the agreement covers only the two communities in the first part. In the second half, the agreement covers three guarantor countries and that is clear, we start as two and will develop into five".

"Who else is going to come, it will be subject to the agreement of both sides. I don’t see any problem with the representation of the EU as an observer in this process."

EU is in the right position to send whoever they pleases, Akinci said and "Most probably, it could be (EU Foreign Affairs chief Federica) Mogherini".

Brussel talk between Turkish Cypriot and Greek

Cypriot 

Talks were recently held in Brussels by both leaders and various EU officials including Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and Mogherini were also present.

"They are all supporting our process and they are looking forward to hearing good news from Cyprus," Akinci continued.

Talks to expected to kick start by January in order to find lasting solution to the divided island.