Iran Ready to Host Cyprus Reunification Talks

Iran's ambassador to Cyprus announced on Tuesday that Tehran was ready to host Cyprus unity talks.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to IRNA, Reza Zabib confirmed Iran’s interest in united Cyprus during the meeting with President of Northern Cyprus Mustafa Akinci.

He also expressed hope that the ongoing talks would bring positive outcomes.

In late October, Akinci and his Greek Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades agreed to hold the key phase of reunification talks in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland.

Negotiations are set to be held on October 7-11. It is the first time when the sides would discuss how much territory each of them would control under an envisioned federation.

Cyprus was divided in 1974 after Turkey invaded the island in the wake of the Greek Cypriots coup. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus proclaimed independence almost a decade later, currently recognized only by Turkey. Ankara keeps some 35,000 troops in the breakaway northern part of the island

The United Nations with the leaders of the two parts of the island, President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci have been brokering peace talks for reunification of the two parts of Cyprus since 2014.