UN chief Guterres sounds out Cyprus sides on prospects for peace talks

AI Summary

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has initiated efforts to revive peace talks between the rival sides in Cyprus after nearly a decade of stalemate. The division between the parties complicates relations between Greece, Turkey, and the European Union.

NICOSIA, July 28 (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres begins a fresh effort on Tuesday to coax Cyprus' rival sides back into peace talks after nearly a decade of deadlock. His first visit to the island as U.N. chief comes amid signs the sides may be ready to negotiate again, but they remain divided over the ground rules for talks. Failure would prolong a dispute that strains ties between NATO allies Greece and Turkey and weighs on Ankara's relations with the European Union.