CYPRUS PRESIDENT – TALKS

The direct negotiations are being conducted on the agreed basis of the UN”, Cyprus President Demetris Christofias has stressed on Monday.

Speaking at the Presidential Palace, on his return from the negotiations, at the Chief of Mission’s residence in the United Nations Protected Area of Nicosia, Christofias said that along with Dervis Eroglu, they have clarified that they are talking about a federation and not a confederation, as regards the solution of the Cyprus problem.

UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer, speaking after the meeting, said that the leaders had a good and long discussion today for around two and a half hours and it was a good opportunity for them to talk about a range of issues.

“They did have a discussion about the basis of the negotiations and both leaders agreed that the talks would continue on the agreed United Nations basis”, he said and added: “All chapters are being negotiated with the aim of increasing the points of convergence on the understanding that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”.

Downer also said that the leaders discussed procedural issues and that it was agreed that the next meeting of the Representatives will be on Wednesday, March 2 and the next meeting of the leaders will be at 1600 on Friday, March 4. At the next meeting, he said, the leaders will be discussing governance and power-sharing.

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu are currently engaged in UN-led negotiations, with an aim to reunify the island.