Tsipras, Anastasiades touch base ahead of Geneva

The meeting  saw the two discussing plans to coordinate their efforts on the European Union and global stage ahead of the crucial talks.

They also discussed the security issue in a future federal Cyprus, the composition of the conference in mid-January, and exchanged views on the peace negotiations up to this point.

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides were also present at the meeting, along with Greek Foreign Minister Nicos Kotzias.

Speaking after the meeting, Christodoulides said it had been “extremely productive” and that Anastasiades and Tsipras were in complete agreement both on issues of substance and procedure.

The spokesman said that Anastasiades and Tsipras will both meet with EU leaders, while Kotzias will head to New York and Kasoulides will tour the EU, all of whom will advance the common views that emerged from the meeting.

The spokesman said the aim is to reunify the country without foreign armies or interventions from outside.

Christodoulides also said that no date had been set for a meeting between Tsipras and Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan, but implied this was in the works.

“There is no such date, for now. We are standing by,” the spokesman said.

On Wednesday, President Anastasiades met with the Greek Cypriot negotiating team at the Presidential Retreat on Troodos where he was informed – according to media reports – that differences still remain on a number of issues with the Turkish Cypriot side.

President Anastasiades is set to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci again on January 4 and most probably again on January 7, before both men fly out to Geneva.