Turkey, Greece eager to end Cyprus dispute this year

5/13/2015 1:51:00 AM

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Turkey and Greece expressed common desire to resume reunification talks on Cyprus this year.

In a joint press conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, along with Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias, that the main goal for Turkey is to unite the peoples of Turkey and Greece on the island as soon as possible.

"The resumption of negotiations is an important development. We have the will for a settlement in Cyprus. I would like to express my belief that we will reach a permanent solution this year, if the Greek Cypriots and Greece have a similar will," Cavusoglu said.

"Let's not miss this opportunity," he added, calling for more frequent and intensified negotiations based on the February 2014 declaration.

For his part, Kotzias said the current situation introduced a fresh opportunity for a permanent solution to the Cyprus question.

"Cyprus should be an independent state. There should be a Cyprus that has very good relationships with all countries, and that has no need of guarantor countries," Kotzias added.

Kotzias praised the newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader. Mustafa "Akinci is a figure representing the Cypriot soul. Resolving the Cyprus problem will help sort out so many other problems in the region," he added.

A joint declaration was made on February 11, 2014, between Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and the president at the time of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Dervis Eroglu, on the start of renewed negotiations to settle the Cyprus dispute.

In 1964, Cyprus was split into two after Turkey intervened when a Greek Cypriot military junta removed a civilian government with the aim of uniting the island with Greece.

Greek Cyprus enjoys international recognition, while Turkish Cyprus is recognized only by Ankara.

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