In a meeting between President Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Greece and Cyprus on Wednesday defined the strategy they will be following during reunification talks in Switzerland next month.
The meeting, which was held in Brussels, was also attended by the two countries’ foreign ministers.
No statements were made afterwards.
The two sides concentrated on the issue of security and guarantees, mainly the procedures which the Greek side would follow.
On Friday, Anastasiades was expected to brief Cyprus’ EU partners ahead of the talks in Geneva between January 9 and 12.
The talks will culminate on the last day with a summit involving the island’s three guarantor powers, and possibly others, to discuss the security structure after a solution.
A report in Greek daily Ta Nea, suggested on Wednesday that the US had tabled a proposal regarding the guarantees, mainly in an effort to convince Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to agree to a solution.
The Greek Cypriot side opposes guarantees and foreign armies on the island after a solution.
The report said the US and Britain, proposed a form of guarantee for a limited time that would only apply to the Turkish Cypriot constituent state.
Any troop presence would be drastically restricted, both in numbers and equipment, as well as dispersion.
The entire scheme would be under the supervision of the UN and possibly Nato, especially in relation to conditions and reasons for any intervention.
The Turkish side is insisting on a system of guarantees, at least for 15 years following the signing of a deal, and its review after that time.
The Anglo-American proposal also provides for the withdrawal of the main core of occupying forces from the north the day after the leaders sign a deal.
In Nicosia, meanwhile, Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis and Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami were able to make progress on some issues related to the chapter of economy during their meeting on Wednesday.
However, the economy chapter is still open, according to sources.
President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci decided on December 1 that they will meet in Geneva on January 9 2017.
On January 11 they will present their respective maps relating to territory from January 12 onwards a conference on Cyprus will be convened with the added participation of the guarantor powers, while other relevant parties shall be invited as needed.
