Dinner for the future

THE EXPLOITATION of Greek Cypriot properties in the north, the presence of Turkish troops and Turkish settlers were the main topics discussed during a dinner between Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades late on Thursday.

Speaking before the dinner Talat said the time had come to reunite the country. “We believe that we must not miss any opportunity to re-unify,” he said. “The time to re-unite has come. Social occasions like tonight will help peace in Cyprus. Although this is a social event, our discussions will focus on the future of Cyprus,” he added.

Talat said it was time for politicians on the island to cooperate and engage in dialogue.

Anastassiades said he would encourage politicians on the Greek Cypriot side to facilitate further such events and said he would be returning the invitation. “We are both Cypriots and Cypriots love hospitality. I would be happy to host Mr Talat and his wife for dinner,” said Anastassiades.

Yesterday the DISY leader said the current situation on the island was creating a new “mental” wall between the two sides, which he said was far more detrimental that a physical one.

He said the passage of time was only solidifying this mental wall. “Time is not helping us,” he said.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.