US to support both Cypriot sides during direct negotiations

The US has pledged to support both sides, the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot side, as they proceed with direct negotiations, aiming at reunifying Cyprus.

Robert Wood, Deputy US State Department Spokesman, said Thursday that the US will do what they can “to support both sides as they go forward in their negotiations”.

He expressed satisfaction with the commencement on September 3rd of direct talks between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, saying that the US support a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

“We are very pleased by the talks between the two parties. And obviously, our policy is to support a bizonal and bicommunal federation”, Wood said.

Asked whether the US share the optimism expressed by Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat that a solution could be reached by the end of this year, Wood noted that the US “would love to see an agreement reached as soon as possible”.

“Whether that is feasible or not will depend on how much progress the parties make. But definitely we would love to see an agreement between the two sides as soon as possible,” he commented.

On a possible US mediation role in the talks, Wood replied that the US do not play a mediation role but “we have and will make ourselves available to assist the parties in the best way that we can”.

“But I'm not aware of any real direct role right now. That's really going on between the two parties”, he concluded.

Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met September 3rd in the presence of UN Secretary General's Special Adviser for Cyprus Alexander Downer to mark the commencement of direct talks between them, aiming at reunifying Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied one third of the island’s territory.

The leaders' next meeting is scheduled for September 11 and will focus on governance and power-sharing, while the third meeting is set for September 18.