A certain path seems to be opening, leading to the resumption of settlement talks, after Friday’s meeting of the two leaders, Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said on Saturday. Addressing a local festival, in Pissouri, a village in the southern coast of Cyprus, Prodromou said that talks need to resume from where they were left off in Switzerland, in the summer of 2017.
 
He also noted that despite the artificial climate of tension and Turkey’s aggressive behavior to the detriment of Cyprus’ sovereign rights, President Anastasiades strives to reach a stage for holding creative negotiations.
 
At the same time, he said that Turkey should also contribute towards this direction, by terminating its aggressive policy that provokes insecurity.
 
Talks should be held on the basis of the parameters set by the UN Secretary-General in Crans Montana, aiming at a viable and functioning settlement, on the basis of UN resolutions, Prodromou went on. He noted that with the parameters of Antonio Guterres, we clearly spoke for the first time about a solution that would turn Cyprus truly independent.
 
He also referred to a permanent settlement that will allow all Cypriots to enjoy human rights and liberties, as is the standard in all EU member states.
 
This is the direction the President is moving along and this calls for the greatest possible unity, in order to support the national effort, Prodromou concluded.
 
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops and respect of the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.  Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The last round of negotiations, in the summer of 2017, at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.