The situation with regard to where and when the 5+1 informal conference on Cyprus will take place is unclear, a well-informed source has told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).

Responding to a question by CNA, the same source noted that it seems that it is not possible for the conference to take place before the end of March and therefore it will most probably be convened later on. 

It it not clear where and when the conference will take place. “The situation is vague,” the source added.

According to the same source, it seems that there are some difficulties due to the measures taken to contain the spread of COVID-19 but also most likely due to Turkey`s stance.

The source referred to a possible game played by Turkey as regards the issue of dates, that has to do with the European Council that will take place in March and the broader geopolitical developments, underlining that “on our part we show a maximum flexibility because we want the conference to take place as soon as possible.”

The European Council meeting is scheduled to take place on March 25 and 26.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, has expressed his intention to convene a 5+1 informal conference on Cyprus, that was expected to take place in early March.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The latest UN backed round of talks took place in 2017, in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, but failed to yield any results.