CYPRUS: Cypriot leaders could meet in New York for peace talks in September

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has suggested that a summit will be held in New York next month with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to help kick-start the Cyprus peace process.

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Akinci told reporters on Thursday that efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem will start in New York in September with a leaders’ meeting.

"Next month will be the month that all the relevant actors will meet in New York, possibly in the last days of September, with the UN Secretary General Guterres,” Akinci told reporters.

He added: “Our wish is that the situation that will emerge is the basis for a good development in Cyprus…I wish that the road of logic and wisdom will be found.”

“Finding common sense is not only necessary and useful for the economy but also for the solution of the Cyprus problem,” Akinci said.

The last UN-backed effort to reach a Cyprus settlement collapsed at a Swiss summit last year, talks have remained in limbo ever since. 

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades told UN envoy Jane Holl Lute, during her recent visit to Cyprus of his readiness to re-engage in a reunification dialogue.

Lute is also holding meetings in Athens, Ankara, London and Brussels on whether conditions have matured for the resumption of Cyprus talks.

She is expected to submit a report to the UN chief next month.

Akinci said that after this report, the Cypriot leaders will be called to make their case on taking the process forward.