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repulsewarrior
Deputy
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 1976
Location: Canada
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Boutros-Ghali in Cyprus
By Anna Hassapi
FORMER UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali last night said Cyprus could play a role in promoting peace in the region.
Ghali, who was Secretary General from 1992 to 1997, is in Cyprus attending the opening last night of the new headquarters of the Neocleous Law Office in Limassol. In his address, Ghali highlighted Cyprus’ role in maintaining peace in the Mediterranean region.
He made no direct reference to the current Cyprus talks however.
“I am delighted to be back in Cyprus - a country which has always been high on my agenda, during all my life. Not only as Minister in Egypt, later Secretary General of the UN and before that as a young professor dealing with the problem of this region,” he said.
“I am sure that Cyprus will play an important role - a bridge between the south and the north of the Mediterranean Sea. Being the centre of civilisation you can play this role of a mediator, conciliator and of the middle man. And I wish for Cyprus to help to promote peace in this region, because this region needs above all peace; you will never obtain peace unless you have the political will to enter in long negotiations and continue to negotiate until you will find a solution to all the problems of the region,” he added.
Following the opening ceremony Ghali declined to hold a press conference and did not answer journalists’ questions.
Meanwhile, in his address at the ceremony the Mayor of Limassol Andreas Christou noted the significance of Ghali’s presence in the seaside town. “It is a great honour for Limassol to host the former UN Secretary-General: a great friend of Cyprus, an exceptional legal academic and politician,” said Christou.
Neokleous House, on Makarios Avenue in Limassol will house the law firm’s headquarters. “It is a unique building from a technological perspective with a lot of innovations in terms of energy saving and raw materials used, while it blends harmoniously with the town’s environment, and is comfortable, green, friendly and familiar both for staff and visitors,” a press release issued by the law firm read.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
Deputy
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Posts: 1976
Location: Canada
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Uniting Old Nicosia
By Sebastian Heller
CHILDREN, teenagers, parents and teachers from both communities will be navigating through Old Nicosia tomorrow as part of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) effort to encourage bi-communal understanding and cooperation.
An initial address by Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou at the Ledra Street checkpoint will start tthe event at 10:30am.
The children, who are from both communities and aged ten to 18, will team up in bi-communal groups to navigate their way through the old city. Starting from the approximate centre of Nicosia, each team will be assigned one of the historic eleven bastions and have to find their own way there. Each team will be accompanied by an adult guide who will explain areas of historical interest along the way as they navigate towards the bastions.
The event is being organised by the Neon Soma Akriton (NSA), a youth group which is one of the 12 organisations in the UNDP Youth Movement in Cyprus. “The aim of this event is to show that the culture belongs to us both. It is the inheritance of us both.” said Dinos Logidi, spokesperson for the NSA.
“This is one of many events of this nature which are planned.” said Logidi “Whereas before there were lots of organisations each doing events on their own there has now begun an overall cooperation and coordination amongst organisations to do larger things and have more of an effect.”
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
Deputy
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Posts: 1976
Location: Canada
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Crossings up to four million in 2008
By Patrick Dewhurst
CROSSINGS between the two communities increased in 2008 with around €27.3 million changing hands across the divide, an economic survey revealed yesterday.
According to the statistics published by the Peace Economics Consortium, there were four million crossings between the two communities in 2008 compared to 3.5 million the previous year.
Many of these were put down to the between 3,500 and 5,000 Turkish Cypriots who work in the government-controlled areas on a daily basis.
Turkish Cypriots spent €19.9 million in the south while Greek Cypriots spent €7.4 million in the north, the consortium said.
The group said it has launched a project to research and promote economic interdependence between the two communities.
“This project will help us achieve a long lasting and fair solution to the Cyprus problem,” said consortium representative Costas Apostolides. “Economic interdependence is currently stronger than we realise and through this project we hope to understand this more.”
The figures show that the communities’ spending habits were different.
Turkish Cypriots spent 17 times as much on shopping in the south, whereas Greek Cypriots spent over seven times as much on entertainment and over ten times as much on hotels.
“I expect a lot of this will be in the casinos, but because this is not detailed in the data we cannot be sure,” Apostolides said.
Ahmet Ozyigit Head of Research on the Turkish Cypriot side said "To an extent, the two communities are already functioning like a single market. For example, people are travelling to mitigate VAT differences, and this is leading to convergence."
Depending on the outcome of the current negotiations, grants will be available to boost business cooperation and research to further interdependence, and to companies to conduct market research and learn more about requirements on both sides.
Crossings began in April 2003 when the Turkish side eased restrictions on freedom of movement.
The increase in crossings in 2008 was most likely due to the opening of the Ledra Street crossing in April 2008, which facilitated more pedestrian movement between the two sides
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
Deputy
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 1976
Location: Canada
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Leaders not ready to discuss property
GREEK and Turkish Cypriot leaders are not yet ready to discuss property -- perhaps the thorniest issue of the Cyprus problem - in depth, President Demetris Christofias said yesterday.
The two sides are discussing the criteria regarding the resolution of the property issue, which has probably become the most difficult aspect of the Cyprus problem.
It is understood that the two sides are discussing who would have the first say on what happens with private property: the rightful owner or the current occupant.
Asked yesterday if it was to assume that there was no agreement on the criteria, Christofias said: “Without assumptions. We are not ready yet to discuss the issue in depth.”
Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday met for around two hours.
Their representatives are scheduled to meet on Thursday – to discuss property -- before Christofias and Talat meet again Friday.
“Our advisers remain authorised to continue the discussion they started in the first meeting and we will meet on Friday afternoon,” Christofias said.
United Nations special envoy Alexander Downer said the two representatives George Iakovou and Ozdil Nami will continue their work.
“As I have explained before, this is a comprehensive and difficult issue and they simply continue the work on property,” Downer said.
He said the Iakovou and Nami are working on the criteria.
“This is the substance of the talks and this is what the representatives will discuss on Thursday,” Downer said.
He added that the aim was for them to achieve more convergence.
The two leaders have also planned further meetings inside December though a detailed schedule was not given yesterday.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
Deputy
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 1976
Location: Canada
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You are asking me for something without taking into account the fact that Turkish Cypriot leaders have rejected any position in the Republic of Cyprus. For example, if I ask Mr. Talat to return to the Republic of Cyprus and become the vice president until a solution is found and offer the seats in parliament and the seats in the council of ministers, will they come? They will reject this. So why are they asking for two seats in the European Parliament? This is not fair. Turkish Cypriots are not paying any taxes; they have the right to work with Greek Cypriots. Turkish Cypriots have the right to visit Greek Cypriot public health institutions at any time without even paying a cent. I am one of the creators of this opportunity, and I still think it is a good offer. But they do not take any part in the political institutions.
http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-191841-8-greek-cypriot-leader-christofias-sees-no-solution-possible-before-december-summit.html? |
...a very interesting interview with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Christofias |
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repulsewarrior
Deputy
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 1976
Location: Canada
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‘No agreement on reunification chapters mentioned by Mr Talat’
By Elias Hazou
THROUGH its spokesman yesterday, the government rubbished reports of an agreement between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides on certain aspects of reunification talks.
Speaking to newsmen after a meeting of the Cabinet, Stefanos Stefanou debunked a comment attributed to Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, said to have told a Brussels-based think tank on Tuesday that the two sides had struck a deal on the chapters of governance, European affairs and the economy.
Greek media cited Talat as using the term “agreement” although it is not clear whether this was a mistranslation of the original statement.
At any rate, asked to comment on the reports, Stefanou said: “We wish such an agreement existed.
“But unfortunately, there is no agreement on any of these three chapters mentioned by Mr. Talat.”
The two sides had achieved convergence on certain aspects of these three issues, but at the same time significant differences remained, he added.
Asked by a reporter whether Talat’s comments might be a deliberate bid to “beautify the picture” ahead of Turkey’s EU accession review in December, the spokesman said this might well be the case.
“Logically this type of remarks may be aimed at embellishing or idealizing or giving a picture that is different to that in the actual negotiations,” said Stefanou.
Despite some progress on aspects of a settlement, the Greek Cypriot side was not satisfied with the overall progress in the talks, he added.
“We speak the language of truth, and we tell things the way they really are. There are difficulties, there are also serious disagreements which we are striving to overcome, and that is why we seek compliance with the agreed basis for a solution for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality.”
Commenting on the recent flurry of diplomatic activity on Turkey’s part, the spokesman did not rule out the possibility of a publicity stunt to mollify the EU.
“It is actions that matter, and hopefully Turkey will take actions that are substantive. Turkey shall be judged according to its actions and its stance on these matters [the Ankara Protocol], and unfortunately it has done nothing of substance,” Stefanou said.
Meanwhile yesterday the top aides to the two leaders met to discuss the property issue ahead of today’s meeting between President Demetris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat.
The two leaders had also discussed the property issue earlier this week. Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou and Talat aide Ozdil Nami have been tasked with preparing a list of the criteria involved in the property question, in terms of what kinds of properties are affected and what potential solutions are available.
The two sides stand on opposite sides of the fence in terms of their respective positions on property solutions. While the Greek Cypriot side wants the original owner to have final say on what to do with the property, the Turkish Cypriots argue in favour of giving the current user more weight.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
Deputy
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 1976
Location: Canada
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Ban Ki-moon cautiously optimistic over Cyprus settlement
By Elias Hazou
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said yesterday that, despite the many challenges, he still remains cautiously optimistic over prospects for a Cyprus settlement.
Addressing the Greek Parliament, Ban spoke of a unique opportunity to solve the Cyprus problem.
The UN chief said the UN would facilitate the ongoing negotiations between the leaders of the two communities to reach a settlement, noting that steady progress is being made.
He went on to congratulate President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for their political leadership and determination.
Ban said he and his Special Adviser Alexander Downer were focused on reaching a solution “by the Cypriots for the Cypriots”, adding that, despite the many challenges, he remained cautiously optimistic regarding the prospects of a settlement.
He pointed out the role Greece could play as a close partner of Cyprus, adding that there was now a unique opportunity to solve the problem.
Also in Athens yesterday was Turkey's chief EU negotiator Egemen Bagis for talks with the Greek leadership, in a visit described as significant by political analysts. Speaking to newsmen from Turkey earlier yesterday before flying out to Athens, Bagis referred to a letter sent by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Greek premier George Papandreou on October 30.
Bagis said the letter clearly spelled out Ankara’s views on the Cyprus issue, as well as addressing other issues of concern to both countries, such as the status of the Aegean and Turkey’s EU accession process.
Speaking to reporters in Greece, Bagis said he expected “an answer” from Papandreou, evidently referring to Erdogan’s letter.
In Nicosia, the government spokesman said President Christofias was briefed on the contents of the letter during a telephone conversation with Papandreou yesterday.
But he declined further comment, noting that the letter was not a matter that concerned Cyprus but Greece.
Meanwhile British Foreign Secretary David Miliband yesterday said ongoing Cyprus negotiations represented a unique opportunity to solve the intractable problem.
“This is a moment of truth, it is a moment for leadership, it is a moment for commitment, because it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to resolve the Cyprus issue on a bi-zonal, bi-communal basis,” Miliband said in an interview with the daily Hürriyet.
Describing both the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders, Mehmet Ali Talat and Dimitris Christofias, as serious people with real commitment, Miliband reaffirmed that Europe would support them when they have to make difficult decisions in the months ahead.
Miliband was speaking from Ankara where he held talks with the Turkish leadership, first with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and then Turkish premier Erdogan.
The EU recently criticized Turkey for slowing down the reform process. Turkey has only been able to open 11 negotiation chapters so far and only one has been provisionally closed. In 2006, the EU suspended the opening of eight chapters due to Turkey’s refusal to implement the Ankara Protocol that would open Turkish ports to Greek Cypriot traffic.
“The Ankara Protocol is important, it is part of the [Cyprus] story and there is an important decision to be taken in December… but we should not make a crisis out of a drama,” Miliband said.
And speaking on CNN Turk, Milliband said a Cyprus solution said a Cyprus solution was “technically feasible.”
“It is too early to talk of failure. At any rate, such an opportunity will not arise again,” he said.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
Deputy
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 1976
Location: Canada
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‘Don’t believe everything you read’
By Stefanos Evripidou
‘DON’T BELIEVE everything you read’ was the message President Demetris Christofias gave yesterday after a Turkish newspaper apparently revealed what a united Cyprus would like.
Christofias said the paper was taking Turkish or Turkish Cypriot positions and putting them as his, adding this was “unacceptable and unethical”.
Hurriyet ran a headline article yesterday called “Development towards a United Republic of Cyprus” where it claimed to reveal points of convergence between Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
According to the Turkish daily, the two leaders have agreed that there will be no army in a united Cyprus, but both constituent states will have their own police force, plus a federal one similar to the FBI. The Turkish Cypriots apparently seek equal numbers of police, but that the Greek Cypriots insist on a 60/40 ratio.
Other alleged points of agreement are that passports and identity cars will be common while for each government office there will be a Greek Cypriot director and Turkish Cypriot deputy or vice-versa.
The paper said both leaders agreed during their 51st meeting not to give any more information to the press before completing the talks. Citing diplomatic sources, it also said both sides agreed to a rotating presidency elected by a senate.
According to Hurriyet, the biggest obstacle in the talks is the Greek Cypriot insistence on a single sovereignty, instead of the “structure currently existing…of two sovereign states”. The settlers issue is another problem-area, with the Turkish Cypriot side allegedly refusing to send Turks who settled in Cyprus back to Turkey.
Property was also referred to as one of the key problems, with reference made to compensation for loss of use, though no mention was made of restitution.
Speaking after his meeting with Talat yesterday, Christofias rejected Hurriyet’s claims, saying they. The two leaders have agreed on a federal solution, with one state, one single sovereignty, citizenship and international personality, he said. It was also true that the two agreed a united Republic of Cyprus would be army-free, and would have police units for each constituent state and a federal force, as well as a rotating presidency.
However, he added: “It is not true we agreed that the president and vice-president be voted by the senate, that’s the Turkish Cypriot position. Our position is for direct elections by the people with weighted voting, however much some people shout about it.”
Christofias said the paper’s claim that Turkish Cypriots want things to stay as they are now with two sovereign states was misleading. “That is wrong,” he said.
He accused Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press of creating misunderstanding by taking Turkish or Turkish Cypriot statements or documents “that have nothing to do with our positions and interpreting them as ours. I consider it unacceptable and unethical.”
Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said the report was part of a larger, intensifying communications strategy to give the impression that the talks are going well before Turkey’s pending evaluation at the EU Council next month.
Despite the “misleading”, “unacceptable and unethical” report, the two leaders were able to have a “very constructive” meeting on organisational matters yesterday, said Christofias.
Asked to comment on Talat aide Ozdil Nami’s comments that the two sides have completed the categorisation of properties, Christofias said: “There is convergence on this issue with one or two categories remaining, which we can live with.”
He highlighted that the substance of the issue was not the categories but the principles on which the solution in the property chapter will be based. “I believe there can be progress on this, that is to accept the principle and from there on we can move forward.”
The UN’s Special Representative Tayé-Brook Zerihoun said they had “a very thorough and constructive discussion on the process…with which both of them were very satisfied”. The two will meet again next Tuesday to take up the issue of aliens, citizenship, immigration and asylum. They also planned to meet on December 1 and 3.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
Deputy
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 1976
Location: Canada
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Cypriot leaders focus on immigration and citizenship in UN-backed talks
Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias (right) and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat
24 November 2009 – The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders met today to continue discussions on immigration, citizenship and asylum as part of the ongoing United Nations-backed, power-sharing negotiations.
Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat held “very fruitful discussions,” the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Cyprus, Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, told reporters at the UN-protected area in Nicosia after the meeting.
The leaders are slated to meet again next Tuesday to take up scheduling matters, and again on Thursday. Their representatives have tentatively agreed to convene next Wednesday and Friday to discuss the economy and property issues, Mr. Zerihoun added.
In September 2008, Mr. Christofias and Mr. Talat began these talks aimed at achieving “a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions” for the Mediterranean Island.
That partnership would comprise a Federal Government with a single international personality, along with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which would be of equal status.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33057&Cr=cyprus&Cr1= |
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repulsewarrior
Deputy
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 1976
Location: Canada
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Cyprus negotiations enter new phase
Gauhar Zahid Malik
Nicosia—President Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek Cypriot Leader Dimitris Christofias met to continue their talks within the framework of the United Nations-led negotiation process. The two leaders held broad discussions on all issues, focusing mainly on citizenship, aliens, immigration and asylum. A new phase is starting in the negotiations process.
The two leaders in Cyprus have agreed to further intensify talks in the New Year. President Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias will each host 3 meetings in Girne and South Lefkosa, respectively in January. The leaders will be meeting at their homes. Mr Christofias will be hosting the talks for three consecutive days at his home in South Lefkosa as from the 11th of January and President Talat in Girne as from the 18th of January. Reminded of the statements made by the Turkish Minister of State Chief negotiator to the EU Egemen Bagis regarding the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Cyprus, President Talat refrained from commenting but said that the continuation of the system of guarantees was vital for the Turks of Cyprus.
Talat also underlined the need to adopt a different method of negotiating. “We have discussed all the outstanding issues. It is now time to take steps towards removing existing differences and work towards convergence. That is why we need to take on new initiatives” said the President. President Talat also expressed the hope that the Greek Cypriot Side will adopt a more active stance in the next year so that the talks can progress. Speaking after discussions, the UN Special Advisor Alexander Downer said the meeting, attended only by the two leaders, their senior aides and the UN Special Adviser, took place in a positive and constructive atmosphere. He also said that they had approximately 2 and a half hours meeting and discussed the issues of “Citizenship, Migration, Aliens, and Asylum”.
Alexander Downer said that the representatives shall take up the issue of “Economy” today and the leaders shall take up the same issue on next Wednesday. Meanwhile A delegation from the Greek Cypriot political party DISI has paid a visit to the ruling National Unity Party.
The two parties have agreed to continue to exchange views to contribute efforts aimed at finding a lasting settlement in Cyprus. Reading out a joint statement after the meeting which lasted for nearly two hours, the Minister of Economy and Energy Sunat Atun said that the UBP and the DISI found the opportunity to express their views and sensitivities over the Cyprus issue and agreed on the necessity of finding a mutually acceptable solution to the problem.
http://pakobserver.net/200912/05/news/world02.asp |
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repulsewarrior
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"EU deplores Turkey's failure to treat Cyprus properly
(AFP) – 20 hours ago
BRUSSELS — European foreign ministers criticised Turkey on Tuesday for failing to deal normally with Cyprus and opted to keep the brakes on Ankara's attempt to join the European Union.
While Turkey avoided any fresh sanctions and the EU nations welcomed progress on some minority issues, there was overall disappointment at Ankara's failure to treat EU nation Cyprus in a 'good neighbourly' way."
http://www.turkishdigest.com/2009/12/afp-eu-deplores-turkeys-failure-to.html |
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repulsewarrior
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Posts: 1976
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'Breaking down barriers and making lasting peace'
FIVE bi-communal entrepreneurial teams received cheques for €50,000 each yesterday from Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of easyJet and serial entrepreneur, at an award ceremony at the Chateau Status restaurant in Nicosia’s buffer zone.
The teams – consisting of at least one Greek-Cypriot and one Turkish-Cypriot partner – were the first winners of the Stelios Awards for Business Co-operation in Cyprus, a four-year scheme promoting island-wide, bi-communal business cooperation between entrepreneurs by giving promising ventures the funding boost they need to grow. They were selected after almost 50 initial entries were whittled down to a shortlist of nine, who then each faced a five-minute grilling by Haji-Ioannou himself.
Referring to his own past efforts in the UK and Greece to “give back” through philanthropy, Haji-Ioannou said that although he had “not come here to make political statements”, in Cyprus “the best way to give back is to use entrepreneurship to break down barriers”, adding: “In order to solve the (Cyprus) problem we have to de-stigmatise doing business with the other side.”
He said: “It’s about breaking down barriers and making lasting peace. When communities work together and do business together, employing people and having customers from both sides, I think this will provide inspiration for peace that will stay in this island for ever.”
Speaking at the awards ceremony yesterday, Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou congratulated Haji-Ioannou for setting up the awards, “because not only do we support reconciliation, we support working together as one step forward, which we need more of.”
Ozdil Nami, Special Representative of Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, said that “our common homeland needs and deserves initiatives like this, as they will contribute to development of mutual respect”, co-operation and co-existence. He added that “this spirit will also ensure the sustainability of a post-solution era that we are doing our utmost to reach very soon”.
The ceremony was also attended by Cyprus Chambers of Commerce (KEVE) President Manthos Mavromatis, Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEV) President Andreas Pittas, Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) board members Turgay Deniz and Celen Ozkaynak, and British High Commissioner Peter Millett.
Haji-Ioannou told the Mail he viewed this year’s winners of the awards as ambassadors in both communities, and hopes that they will help boost the number of applications next year “from 45 or so to 100”, and is confident they will have a wider impact among small companies.
Haji-Ioannou emphasized that the Awards scheme “is a marathon, not a sprint”, and will run for a further three years, and hoped that people will be encouraged to “reach out to find someone to do business with”. He added that although applications were invited from start-ups, “if someone has already been doing it for four or five years, then they deserve an award already.”
Sending out a message to future applicants – and to those who were unsuccessful this year – Haji-Ioannou said: “Try every year. If you know one of the winners today, please try yourself next year. Today’s business plan can be tomorrow’s business.”
The five winners of €50,000:
The Highgate School, a school offering integrated trilingual education from pre-Kindergarten to grade 12 in Nicosia; represented by educators Maria Theochari and Zubeyir Agaoglu.
Papazor Enterprises Ltd, an internet-based car and villa rental service represented by Izzet Zorlu and Stathis Papaefstathiou.
C&A Agricultural Products, which distributes and exports agricultural products grown island-wide, represented by Unsal Ozbilenler and Christakis Varnava.
The Three Ladies Team, represented by Praxoula A. Kyriacou and Ozlem Oguz, is an economic research and consulting company advising clients on intra-island trade.
OSP Continental Trading Ltd, manufactures PVC windows and doors for sale island-wide, represented by Andreas Petrides, Ozker Ìldeniz and Soner Yetkili.
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/breaking-down-barriers-and-making-lasting-peace/20091219 |
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repulsewarrior
Deputy
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 1976
Location: Canada
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Leaders to discuss EU in first meeting of 2010
NICOSIA- President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat on January 4, will have a meeting to discuss EU affairs as part of their UN-led direct talks to solve the Cyprus problem and reunite the island.
The meeting on Monday will be the last time the two leaders meet before their intensive negotiations begin on January 11.
http://www.cyprusweekly.com.cy/main/92,1,283,0,4738-.aspx |
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repulsewarrior
Deputy
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Posts: 1976
Location: Canada
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UN satisfied with Cyprus accelerated talks
www.chinaview.cn 2010-01-13 03:48:39 Print
NICOSIA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The top UN envoy in Cyprus expressed on Tuesday his satisfaction with the intensified talks by Greek and Turkish Cypriot community leaders aimed at bridging differences in negotiations aimed at a solution to the Cyprus issue.
"We are happy with the way the two leaders are conducting the negotiations," said Alexander Downer, the United Nations Secretary-General's advisor on Cyprus.
He was talking to reporters after President Demetris Christofias, a Greek Cypriot, and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat concluded their second marathon meeting on Tuesday night.
They negotiated for a total of 15 hours in the past two days on the issue of governance and power sharing between the two communities.
They will have another session on Wednesday before recessing for more than one week, and embarking on another three-day round of intensive talks on January 25.
Downer said the two leaders had a long day of open and frank discussion on Tuesday.
Donwer's satisfaction echoed a statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon in New York last week that he is encouraged by the talks in Cyprus. Ban encouraged both leaders to remain committed and to show flexibility and leadership.
President Christofias said after Tuesday's session, which lasted about eight hours, that he had submitted a document on the positions of the Greek Cypriot side on the governance and power sharing issue.
He added that the document was a response to a similar document submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side last week, which was rejected by the Greek Cypriot political leadership as outside the scope of the agreed basis for a federal state solution.
Christofias said the two documents are not being discussed at his meetings with Talat.
"Because we have said we will not discuss the Turkish Cypriot document, it is not necessary to discuss the positions of our document either," said Christofias.
However, "we have the positions of the two sides in mind and we are discussing freely, having these positions in mind," he noted.
Meanwhile, a Turkish Cypriot spokesman said the document submitted by Talat will not be withdrawn just because the Greek Cypriot side said it is not acceptable as a basis of negotiations.
The talks between the two sides started 16 months ago but despite agreeing on several points there are still wide divergences on central issues which block the way to a solution to the long standing division of the eastern Mediterranean island since 1974.
Editor: yan
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/13/content_12798870.htm
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repulsewarrior
Deputy
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 1976
Location: Canada
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Progress made at Cyprus talks ahead of Ban visit
NICOSIA-The island’s two leaders have achieved significant progress on the governance issue during Friday’s meeting, UN envoy Alexander Downer told journalists.
“The leaders have left the meeting feeling positive and there will be a bit more to say next week when the UN Secretary-General is here and the leaders meet with him on Monday afternoon,” he also said.
Friday’s meeting concluded the second round of UN-led intensive talks, as part of their effort to find a negotiated settlement to the Cyprus problem.
Asked whether the chapter on governance has been concluded or not, the UN official reiterated that the leaders will have more to say about this on Monday afternoon.
“So, I am not going to go into any of the details here”, he added.
On the future of the peace process, Downer said that the leaders are going to talk about future programming during the meeting on Monday with Ban Ki-moon.
http://www.cyprusweekly.com.cy/main/92,1,283,0,5523-.aspx |
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