Cyprus Reunification Talks to Resume Friday – UN Special Adviser

Cyprus’ reunification talks between Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus and Turkish Cypriot-controlled self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will begin on Friday, May 15, after a seven-month break, UN Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide said Monday.

MOSCOW, May 11 (Sputnik) — Barth Eide added that this opportunity should be taken to find a solution to the decades-long dispute.

Cyprus is a Mediterranean island located south of Turkey and east of Greece, with Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots forming the majority of the island's population.

“And I very much look forward to the continuation of the talks. We will continue to work from the morning of Friday, 15 May,” Barth Eide said following the talks with Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci as quoted by the Cyprus Mail.

In 1974, a Greek Cypriot military coup overthrew the government, and in response Turkey invaded the country, capturing the northern part of the island.

Nowadays, a buffer zone separates the Greek Cypriot south of the island from the Turkish Cypriot north.