Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Akıncı 1 Dec agreed to resume UN-backed reunification talks in Geneva 9 Jan. Both sides to present maps with proposals for entities’ boundaries within a federation 11 Jan; multiparty conference focusing on issues of guarantees and security to start 12 Jan, with participation of powers that guarantee constitutional settlement on island (Greece, Turkey and UK). Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot negotiators early Dec started to meet three times a week to try and make progress on outstanding issues ahead of Jan talks.

Two rounds of intense UN-brokered reunification talks in Switzerland between Greek Cypriot President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Akıncı failed to agree on “land for peace” territory issues and internal boundaries of future federation needed to proceed to final phase of talks, dashing hopes for settlement in 2016. Opening 7-11 Nov talks, UNSG Ban said peace deal “within reach”, subsequently reported “significant progress”. Talks resumed 2o Nov but ended 22 Nov with leaders unable to agree on percentage of island remaining under Turkish Cypriot administration (Akıncı reportedly proposing 29.2% and Anastasiades 28.2%) and map of internal boundaries; and on how many Greek Cypriots could reclaim homes and property lost during 1974 invasion (Akıncı calling for less than 70,000 vs Anastasiades’ 90,000, reduced from 100,000). Ban 23 Nov urged leaders to resume talks, “not let this historic opportunity slip” and build on “substantial achievements”; Anastasiades said he was “determined” to continue dialogue. UN Special Envoy Eide 28 Nov met with leaders on both sides, said negotiations would continue.

UN-brokered reunification talks between Greek Cypriot President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Akıncı continued following Anastasiades’ late Sept rejection of roadmap for next steps in negotiation process. Speaking after meeting with Anastasiades 13 Oct, Akıncı said that peace deal without rotating presidency model “is out of question”. U.S. Asst Sec State Victoria Nuland met with both Akıncı and Anastasiades 13 October; after his meeting Anastasiades reiterated he would not accept peace deal involving continued presence of Turkish troops on island. Leaders agreed to continue talks in Switzerland 7-11 Nov, focusing on territory for the first time.

Intensive rounds of talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders continued. After meeting between Akıncı and Anastasiades 14 Sept, UN Special Envoy Eide stated the two sides were committed to peace deal before end of year, but crucial gaps remain; reported “significant progress” on chapters of governance and power-sharing, economy, and property. Speaking in Nicosia 18 Sept, Akıncı stated that rotating presidency is one of the “indispensable topics for the equality of Turkish Cypriots”, without it “there will be no deal”. Turkish Cypriot administration rejected Greek Cypriot proposal published in media 18 Sept for deployment of 2,500 EU police officers to replace current guarantorship system. Akıncı and Anastasiades met with UNSG Ban 25 Sept, who urged them to reach accord. Greek Cypriot leader reportedly rejected calendar proposal demanded by Turkish Cypriot leader late Sept.

Weekly meetings between Turkish Cypriot leader Akıncı and Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades continued, with new round of seven meetings initiated 23 Aug. Akıncı late July reported significant steps have been taken in economy, EU, property, governance and power-sharing. Turkish Cypriot media early Aug reported disagreements between Akıncı and northern Cypriot PM Ozgürgün on conduct of talks after Ozgürgün publicly criticised Akıncı, accused him of being weak.

As weekly meetings between Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Akıncı on reunification talks resumed, after 1 July meeting Anastasiades reportedly noted “substantial differences” remain on property issue despite rising optimism on peace process, and that issue of who will be eligible for property compensation remains unclear. U.S. Asst Sec State Nuland 12 July had two separate meetings with Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders in Nicosia: Anastasiades raised issue of guarantees, repeating position of not accepting presence of 43,000 Turkish troops on island; Turkish Cypriot side expressed desire to take negotiation process to decisive final step Sept 2016. Following 15 July attempted military coup in Turkey, Akıncı gave assurance that chain of command in Turkish army in N Cyprus was intact; also reassured N Cypriots of precautionary measures to prevent potential provocations. In separate statements 20 July, both Anastasiades and Akıncı emphasised that next two months would be crucial to reach settlement in Cyprus.

New round of peace talks between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders held 8 June following late-May row between Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Akıncı and cancellation of planned 27 May talks. Two sides 20 June reportedly reached agreement on issue of power sharing.

Ruling Democratic Rally (DISY) party won Republic of Cyprus parliamentary elections 22 May with 30% of vote. New Turkish Cypriot PM Hüseyin Özgürgün 4 May reiterated support for peace talks with Greek Cypriot community. Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders 14 May issued joint statement on first anniversary of resumption of reunification talks, acknowledged ongoing efforts to overcome challenges and noting both sides’ optimism about comprehensive settlement in 2016. Turkish govt 3 May lifted visas for all EU citizens, including Greek Cypriots, as part of EU visa liberalisation roadmap; stated move did not imply Ankara’s recognition of Greek Cyprus.

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı 16 April approved new coalition govt between National Unity Party (UBP) and Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG), and named UBP Chairman Hüseyin Özgürgün PM; followed collapse of previous coalition govt after UBP 3 April withdrew, blaming govt inability to address economic problems. Akıncı 7 April warned that fall of govt and Greek Cypriot parliamentary election scheduled for May could have negative impact on peace talks.

Greek Cypriot spokesperson 8 March said Ankara should recognise Republic of Cyprus and open trade, ports and airports before govt could lift veto on six of Turkey’s EU negotiation chapters; statement threatened to complicate Turkey’s deal on refugees and accelerated accession talks with EU. Turkey’s EU Minister Volkan Bozkır 16 March said “capriciousness” of Greek Cypriot administration should not be allowed to block EU-Turkey deal. Republic of Cyprus President Anastasiades 17 March backed down following meetings with European Council President Tusk and European Commission President Juncker, said he hoped compromise could be reached at European Council meeting but maintained criticism of Turkey for failing to recognise his govt. Turkish and U.S. FMs meeting in Washington 29 March agreed Cyprus deal could be reached in 2016. Historic Denya Mosque attacked 22 Feb by unknown arsonists; Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders condemned attack. Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı alleged attack was attempt to disrupt peace talks and vowed to punish assailants.