Cyprus talks to restart on May 15

Newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı, a moderate leftist who pledged to resume talks during his campaign, and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades held their first meeting on May 11. 

“They agreed it was important to use the momentum created and opportunity to move forward without delay,” the U.N.’s Espen Barth Eide had told journalists outside a landmark hotel straddling a “buffer zone” that has split the capital Nicosia for decades. 

“We would like to open a new page in Cyprus,” said Akıncı, anticipating the restart of talks. 

The White House has also welcomed plans to resume U.N.-brokered talks to unify the divided Mediterranean island.

“The United States welcomes the announcement that the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders will resume settlement talks on May 15,” said National Security Council spokesperson Bernadette Meehan on May 12.