Guarantees a sticking point before Cyprus summit

Despite a new push by the United Nations for progress in Cyprus peace talks ahead of a conference in the ski resort of Crans-Montana in Switzerland on Wednesday, the Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot sides appear to remain at loggerheads on the key issue of guarantees.

Both Nicosia and Athens insist that the system of guarantor powers on the divided island is outdated and should be abolished. Meanwhile the Turkish-Cypriot side and Ankara continue to emphasize that the system of guarantees can be amended but should remain in place.

They propose that there be two negotiating tables in Geneva: one where the guarantor powers can discuss possible amendments to the system of guarantees and another where the remaining unresolved issues be discussed.