Published December 11, 2015
Cyprus' president moved to ease fears that his handling of renewed peace talks with breakaway Turkish Cypriots would scuttle chances for a fair reunification accord.
Nicos Anastasiades held a nationally televised news conference Wednesday to defend a document he agreed to with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu that paved the way for the resumption of peace talks a day earlier.
The document outlines key principles for an envisioned federation. Anastasiades rebuffed critics who decry the document as implying separate Turkish Cypriot statehood — something that would undermine a reunified state.
Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup aiming to unite the island with Greece.
Anastasiades said many countries are now keen to see a peace accord because of Cyprus' new-found offshore gas deposits.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/cyprus-president-eases-concerns-over-handling-of-renewed-talks-to-unify-divided-island