The Cyprus problem was among the issues discussed between the UN Secretary General Ban Ki–moon and the Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brisbane, Australia.
According to a statement by a spokesperson of the UN Secretary General, Ban and Davutoglu “discussed the status of the negotiations to achieve a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, as well as Turkey’s role in supporting the process.”
He added that they exchanged views on the situation in Syria, including international efforts to combat the threat posed by ISIL and Turkey’s humanitarian assistance to the refugees in the region.
They also discussed the ongoing diplomatic efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, to create momentum for a local freeze in Aleppo, as well as the priorities for Turkey’s upcoming chairmanship of the G-20, the spokesperson said.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades decided to suspend his participation in the UN- backed negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem, after Turkish seismic exploration vessel Barbaros entered last month Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone, a few days after Turkey issued an illegal maritime order (NAVTEX) for the area.
