Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland seems to understand the objections of the Greek Cypriot side, speaking to journalists after his Thursday`s meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in the context of intensified talks to solve the Cyprus` problem.

He also said that there`s a possibility to meet again in the afternoon with Nuland, adding that the US Assistant Secretary of State is trying to see if the differences can be bridged.

Asked for today`s meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader, President Anastasiades said that they discussed the issues of effective participation in governance, decision-making and potential future amendments of the Constitution. He noted that further convergences were observed in some of the issues, however some differences remain and for that reason the discussion will continue tomorrow.

Replying to another question on Nuland`s view on a number of issues the President raised to her, Anastasiades said that she seems to understand the objections of the Greek Cypriot side. He added that what the Greek Cypriot side is trying to achieve is the understanding that “the claims of the other side are not needed”.

According to sources, in his morning meeting with Nuland, the President raised a number of issues that were not directly related to the chapters of the talks, however are causing blockages and sending negative messages about the intentions of the Turkish side.

Asked on Nuland`s visit and if she conveys anything specific, the President answered that she tries to see how to bridge the differences, if something like that is possible. The President added that if the Turkish Cypriot side insists to some issues “the situation is complicated.”

Asked if the intensified talks have results, President Anastasiades replied “yes. I believe so”.

“There will be differences, and differences will remain before the completion, if and when there will be such proposals to enable the completion. But I want to believe that we are all working in that direction and I hope that in the end there will be understanding, on issues where the other side does not have strong arguments on positions that we do not support, “he said.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Peace talks between Anastasiades and Akinci have been underway since May 2015, aiming to reunify the island under a federal roof.