288: further steps towards peace in Cyprus

Regular RTBH readers may remember post 162 back in March, when Cypriot authorities reopened the crossing point in Nicosia between northern and southern Cyprus. At the same time, they agreed to restart talks on reunification. As today's linked article from the Turkish Press reports, a process has now been outlined for these talks. In a meeting earlier today, President Demetris Christofias, a Greek Cypriot, and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat settled on 3 September as the date to launch fresh negotiations and also agreed that any outcome would be put to simultaneous referenda in north and south. Slowly but surely, what would seem to be a serious and committed peace process is evolving. Let's hope this constructive spirit continues.