UN mediator sees little progress on Cyprus talks
United Nations Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide on Wednesday appeared downbeat on the chances of reunification talks on the island resuming even though President Nicos Anastasiades indicated that he would be willing to include all “remaining issues” in the final phase of talks.
Eide said there were “no immediate prospects” for a meeting between Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, who he met a day earlier. “I’m increasingly concerned that things are not moving and I’m afraid that as they are not moving they are de facto moving in the wrong direction,” he told reporters.
Anastasiades suggested last week that the divisive hydrocarbons issue could be discussed at the end of negotiations. Eide acknowledged the Cypriot president’s effort to ease tension but said more is needed. “There is a positive step from Mr Anastasiades and this step should be followed with some kind of response from the other side,” he said. Eide is due to brief the United Nations Security Council about his latest round of talks on January 26.
