NICOSIA: Rival Cypriot leaders met on Monday to discuss opening more crossing points across the divided island, the United Nations said, as part of trust-building efforts to revive stalled peace talks. President Nikos Christodoulides of the Greek-speaking, internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar met in the buffer zone that has split the Mediterranean island for decades. The meeting, mediated by UN Special Representative Colin Stewart, followed an October 15 informal dinner hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres with both leaders in New York.
The United Nations said the two leaders agreed that opening new crossings could foster people-to-people contacts, strengthen economic ties, build trust and help to create a more positive climate for peace talks. The Mediterranean island is split between the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is only recognised by Turkiye and covers about a third of island including parts of the capital Nicosia. — AFP
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