Kerry says peace 'within reach' on Cyprus

Peace is within reach in Cyprus, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said, a day before the two Cypriot leaders met on Dec. 4 as part of the peace talks. 

"In recent months, it has become clear that the ground really is shifting and tangible progress is being made," Kerry said Dec. 3 after separate meetings with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Ak?nc?, according to Reuters. The three dined together afterwards. 

"I am more convinced than ever that a resolution to the long-standing division of Cyprus is within reach," Kerry added. 

Kerry's visit came after the special adviser of the U.N. Secretary-General on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, last week announced "further progress" in talks. Hopes for a peace deal have risen after leaders on both sides resumed negotiations in May.

A day after Kerry visited the island, Ak?nc? and Anastasiades came together in Nicosia to make further progress in the peace talks, after having met six times in November to speed up a solution to the 40-year-old separation. The two leaders are scheduled to meet once again on Dec. 15, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. 

"A united Cyprus will stand as a beacon of hope in a tumultuous part of the world," Kerry said, alluding to Syria's civil war that has sent millions of refugees streaming into Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon and now into Europe.

Kerry is the latest foreign official to voice optimism that a deal may finally be at hand to reunite the east Mediterranean island, divided since 1974. 

Popular Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders want a settlement, Greece and Turkey have other problems and the discovery of offshore gas could cushion the cost. 

Ak?nc? praises Kerry's visit

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