UK backs Cyprus talks ahead of summit

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON

A British government spokeswoman said on Wednesday it wanted to do whatever it could to support ongoing Cyprus peace talks in Switzerland.

The spokeswoman told Anadolu Agency: “We welcome the progress made in the negotiations in recent months.

“We think there has been courageous leadership from the leaders of the communities involved in this.

“Resolving this long-running dispute and bringing lasting peace to Cyprus would bring benefit to not just people in Cyprus but also to the region."

The comments came ahead of news from Geneva that an international summit on Cyprus would be at foreign ministerial -- not presidential -- level.

However, the UN’s Cyprus envoy, Espen Barth Eide, said on Wednesday in Geneva the talks were “on track”.

“We have dealt with some of the most difficult issues,” he added.

The British source said it would be “likely” U.K. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson would travel to Geneva.

This week's Cyprus reunification talks, which started on Monday between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot parties, will continue Thursday with the summit where Turkey, Greece and the U.K. will be represented.

Reunification talks resumed in May 2015; both sides have repeatedly expressed optimism that a solution could be found.

Once a final agreement is reached, it would be put to both Cypriot communities in a referendum.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus president, Mustafa Akinci, has said a reunification vote could be held in mid-2017, pending agreement in Geneva.

- UK premier’s Turkey visit

The British spokeswoman also told Anadolu Agency Prime Minister Theresa May hoped to visit Turkey soon.

“It is the PM's hope that she would be able to visit Turkey shortly, because [Turkey is] an important partner for the U.K. on a range of issues,” the source said.

Counter-terrorism and trade would be important topics of discussion between London and Ankara, the spokeswoman added.