Cypriot leaders agree on unified treaty-signing
The leaders of Cyprus's Turkish and Greek communities agreed Wednesday on the formula for each side to enter international treaties as part of a reunified, federal state, the Turkish Cypriot president said yesterday.
"The most significant issue we handled today was the authorization of constituent states to sign international treaties," Mustafa Akıncı said, adding, "That part has already been completed."
Akıncı and his Greek Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades are taking part in face-to-face talks this month as they try to reach agreement on issues where there is broad agreement before tackling more contentious issues such as territory and security.
It was the second meeting, chaired by U.N. envoy Espen Barth Eide, this week with another meeting today.
Akıncı said the focus on external relations, the distribution of power, property and the economy were the main agenda items Wednesday.
He noted that states within a federal system were able to sign international treaties on certain areas, citing Belgium, Canada and Germany as examples.
On Tuesday, Akıncı announced that a referendum on the reunification of Cyprus could take place within a year.
He said both Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot voters could go to the polls after the detail of an agreement is completed in the first few months of 2017.
Talks resumed in May last year following a dispute over gas exploration. The island became divided after a 1974 Athens-backed coup was followed by Turkish military intervention.
"The most significant issue we handled today was the authorization of constituent states to sign international treaties," Mustafa Akıncı said, adding, "That part has already been completed."
Akıncı and his Greek Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades are taking part in face-to-face talks this month as they try to reach agreement on issues where there is broad agreement before tackling more contentious issues such as territory and security.
It was the second meeting, chaired by U.N. envoy Espen Barth Eide, this week with another meeting today.
Akıncı said the focus on external relations, the distribution of power, property and the economy were the main agenda items Wednesday.
He noted that states within a federal system were able to sign international treaties on certain areas, citing Belgium, Canada and Germany as examples.
On Tuesday, Akıncı announced that a referendum on the reunification of Cyprus could take place within a year.
He said both Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot voters could go to the polls after the detail of an agreement is completed in the first few months of 2017.
Talks resumed in May last year following a dispute over gas exploration. The island became divided after a 1974 Athens-backed coup was followed by Turkish military intervention.