Greek, Turkish Cypriot leaders stroll in streets to send peace message

The leaders of estranged Greek and Turkish communities of Cyprus strolled in the streets of the medieval part of the capital on Saturday to send a message of peace ahead of the resumption of reunification negotiations.

Cypriot President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci walked through narrow streets alongside buildings dating back to the 15th century as Nicosia residents from both sides followed them and applauded.

"Today we received a strong peace message by the people. We send back an even stronger message that it is our duty to work tirelessly to reach a solution as soon as possible," said Anastasiades at the end of the 90-minute stroll.

"We have the political will and a joint vision to work for better days for our country and our generation," intoned Akinci.

The two communities were split apart when Turkey occupied part of Cyprus in 1974, in reaction to a coup by Greek junta officers.

Hopes for a reunification settlement of the intractable Cyprus problem were revived after left-center Akinci swept to an electoral victory in April to become the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Anastasiades and Akinci had a first meeting in the presence of a United Nations emissary on May 11 and agreed to meet again next Thursday to embark on detailed negotiations.

Their joint stroll today was meant to give the signal of their will to strike an agreement.

Anastasiades walked down Ledra Street, the main thoroughfare of the old part of Nicosia and walked into the Turkish Cypriot sector of the capital passing by a check point where Akinci was waiting.

Anastasiades offered him an olive tree branch, a symbol of peace, which Akinci also had used as his electoral symbol.

They then walked through narrow lanes as a crowd who had gathered on the other side of the divide applauded and followed them, offering them flowers. A Turkish Cypriot musician played a traditional song on his mandolin.

They both spoke to shopkeepers and bystanders on their way to Buyuk Khan (The Big Travellers Inn), an impressive mediaeval sand stone building recently restored with UNESCO funds.

After sipping coffee, Anastasiades and Akinci crossed into the Greek Cypriot sector where they sampled traditional meze, an assortment of charcoal-cooked meat, local ham, cheese and sausages and sipped zivania, the local equivalent to whisky.

People of both communities cheered, embraced them and urged them to work for a quick solution.

"Greek and Turkish Cypriots eat and drink well together, but there is an impression that when it comes to discussing they are not doing so well. We have to disprove this," said Akinci.

He said today was "an important day for Cyprus," adding that it was meant "to send a message of hope after so many disappointments."

Anastasiades published a picture of him with Akinci on his twitter account writhing that "together we create the future."