‘Together We Create the Future’

President Nicos Anastasiades crossed to the north on Saturday to have a coffee with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, who also reciprocated with a stroll and another coffee in the Ledra and Phaneromeni area of the capital.

Each leader spent around 45 minutes on either side, walking around and talking to people on the streets. On their return to the government-controlled side, Anastasiades posted a photo with Akinci, and tweeted in Greek and English: Together we create the future #Cyprus.

He also offered Akinci an olive branch, and Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami a silver olive branch for his birthday, the Cyprus News Agency reported.

And following the event, the Cypriot President tweeted: “We ought to deliver peace and prosperity #ReUnited #Cyprus”.

UN mediator Espen Barth Eide joined in shortly afterward, retweeting a comment originally posted by the Finnish embassy.  “History in the making in #Cyprus! Bravo @AnastasiadesCY @MustafaAkinci_1 building #trust”, it said.

In impromptu remarks after the coffee, both stressed their message of hope and expressed their determination to push their hardest for a solution.

“We received a strong message, but I want to send the strongest message that we shall work tirelessly to find a solution to the Cyprus problem as soon as possible,” Anastasiades said.

“We are condemned by history, it is our duty. Peace for everyone.”

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