Cyprus talks in Switzerland to focus on crucial issue of territory

United Nations-buffered talks aimed at reunifying Cyprus are due to resume on the island next week following planned discussions between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in Switzerland on Sunday expected to focus on territory.

The talks over the weekend are expected to focus on the thorny issue of territory which must be resolved before the talks can progress to another sensitive area, that of guarantees.

Greek Prime Minister and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the progress in the latest Cyprus peace drive during a telephone conversation late on Friday night, Tsipras’s office said.

In comments earlier this week, after receiving Anastasiades in Athens, Tsipras had stressed the need for Turkish forces to withdraw from the occupied north of the island and for an end to the “anachronistic” system of foreign guarantees.