Mustafa Akıncı

Cyprus peace talks ended late on Nov. 11 in Switzerland without a final deal despite UN claims of "significant progress."

The high-level negotiations will resume in Geneva on Nov. 20.

Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades were engaged in sustained negotiations in Mont Pelerin since Nov. 7 under the auspices of the UN.

Turkish Cyprus is pushing for a deadline in the peace talks to begin discussions over land issues in a bid to take a major step to reach a final agreement.

Barış Burcu, the spokesperson for Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akıncı, said they were pushing for a deadline in the peace talks in order to discuss the map of a possible united federal state in Cyprus. 

Why are Greek Cypriots so offensive? Why do they attack and insult anyone who dares write something to their displeasure? Where is their tolerance to others' opinions in the Greek Cypriot democracy? In so many letters, as well as in discussion groups, there were incredible accusations against me.

A deal to unify Cyprus is within reach, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Nov. 7 as he opened a latest round of negotiations.

"The prospect of a solution in Cyprus is within their reach," said Ban as he opened a round of talks in a snow-bound hotel overlooking Lake Geneva in Switzerland on Nov. 7. 

"Expectations in both communities are high," he added. 

Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders will meet for intensive negotiations from Nov. 7 at Mont Pelerin, near Lake Geneva, in the presence of the U.N. envoy for Cyprus, Norwegian diplomat Espen Barth Eide, in U.N.-backed peace talks aimed at solving one of the world's longest-running political crises.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met his Northern Cypriot counterpart Mustafa Akıncı in Istanbul on Nov. 5 ahead of peace talks scheduled between Nov. 7 and Nov. 11 in Switzerland.

Erdoğan and Akıncı agreed to stay determined to resolve issues through negotiations in the upcoming talks in Mont Pelerin.        

Turkey's input will be pivotal in overcoming key obstacles preventing a deal to reunify Cyprus, Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said on Nov. 4 ahead of crucial talks in Switzerland next week.

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı called Nov. 2 for "realism and reasonable" approaches from the Greek Cypriots ahead of U.N.-backed talks aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island.

In the middle of a turbulent region, a glimmer of hope has appeared for a solution of the Cyprus problem after five decades of division. The next rounds of talks to hammer down the details of the most difficult issues in the negotiations - i.e. security, territory and the guarantees - will take place in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland, on Nov. 7-11.

A deal to find a peaceful solution to the more than 40-year-old conflict on the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus is closer than ever and could be clinched by the end of this year, a senior U.N. envoy said Nov. 1.