Turkish Cypriot leader invites President Anastasiades to dinner

The government confirmed today that President Nicos Anastasiades has been invited to dinner by the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, in an effort to reignite the stalled process for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides confirmed reports from the Turkish Cypriot side on the matter, adding that “there is a proposal on the part of the Turkish Cypriot leadership for a dinner.”

“We have not replied yet to the invitation,” he added.

Repeated UN-led rounds of peace talks have so far failed to lead to a political settlement that would reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion, due to Turkish intransigence and unacceptable positions for a two-state solution.

The latest round of talks, which began in September 2008, came to an abrupt end last July when the Turkish Cypriot leader withdrew from the talks, claiming the assumption of the EU rotating presidency by Cyprus for six months was an obstacle to the negotiating process.