UN envoy sees chance to restart Cyprus peace talks
A UN envoy says he sees an opportunity to resume suspended talks to reunify ethnically divided Cyprus amid signs that a clash over an offshore natural gas search may be ebbing.
Espen Barth Eide said after talks with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades Tuesday that the reasons that led to a halt in talks may be over and gas developments could create “a climate where talks can continue.”
Anastasiades suspended talks in October last year after Turkey launched a search for the fossil fuel in waters where the Cypriot government licensed other companies to drill.
Turkey says a unilateral gas search by the internationally recognized Greek Cypriots ignores the rights of breakaway Turkish Cypriots.
[AP]
