President Mustafa Akinci and President Nicos Anastasiades have agreed on a road map in the first round of intensified talks which concluded on Friday. The second stage will begin on 23rd August after a summer break.
According to Kibris Postasi, citing diplomatic sources, 90% of four chapters have been agreed. There are outstanding issues which had been put to one side for the time being and will be discussed later.
The two outstanding and most problematic chapters – territory and guarantees will be the main topics of discussion in a series of seven critical meetings. The deadline for this second round of intensive talks is marked by the start of the UN General Assembly on 14th September.
Accordingly, if there is a consensus, a five party conference between the two sides and the guarantors, UK, Turkey and Greece to discuss guarantees and security, has been mooted for early November.
In the event of a framework being agreed by all parties, the proposal will be presented in detail to the two Cypriot communities for referenda, to be held no later than March 2017.
Kibris Postasi
