Eide hears ‘constructive’ ideas on Cyprus talks during visit to Athens

United Nations mediator Espen Barth Eide said on Tuesday that Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias (had some ‘constructive’ ideas about how to resolve several outstanding issues in the reunification talks on Cyprus.

Eide and Kotzias met in Athens yesterday but neither man gave details about their dicussion as peace talks on Cyprus between President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci are ongoing.

One of the issues that has yet to be settled is that of guarantees. Kotzias has already made it clear Athens believes it is anachronistic for Greece, Turkey and the UK to be guarantor powers.

Eide indicated that one way of getting over this would be for the UN to extend its 52-year presence on the island.