Middle-way course for quartet Cyprus talks

BUERGENSTOCK (AA) – Atmosphere of uncertainty about which Turkish side was uneasy was overcome in four-party Cyprus talks which continues in Swiss Alpine resort of Buergenstock, sources said on Thursday.

Diplomatic sources said that UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto who assumed a more constructive attitude since yesterday launched initiatives to find a middle course.

Stressing that a dinner at which parties met on Wednesday was a type of four-party talks, diplomatic sources said that a similar gathering was also planned for Friday evening.

The same sources underlined that Greece and Turkish Cypriot side sat around a table together for the first time since 1974 on Wednesday and stated that four-party talks would be held at this format which was found by De Soto.

Parties are expected to meet at dinner on Friday after Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul proceeds from Brussels to Buergenstock.

Meanwhile, sources said that Gul conveyed his concern to De Soto on Wednesday that four-way negotiotions had not started yet and noted that he came to Buergenstock despite elections in Turkey.