The leaders in Cyprus will meet twice early next year before departing for Geneva, to conti-nue settlement talks on January 9, 2017. The President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades stated on Thursday that the meetings will be held on January 4 and January 7.

Speaking upon his return from a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, in Nicosia, Anastasiades said that today they were informed by their negotiators about the meetings they had and the discussion on pending issues. Mr Anastasiades spoke of some progress, he made it clear however that no solution will be reached if the turkish side insists on Turkey's military presence and guarantor rights.