President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu have decided to intensify the UN-led negotiations for a solution of the Cyprus problem.

The two community leaders met with the UNSG on July 7, with whom they agreed on the intensification of the talks.

Speaking to the press at the Presidential Palace, after the meeting with Eroglu on Tuesday, in the presence of UNSG Special Advisor, Alexander Downer, President Christofias said that “we agreed that the intensive talks will be held twice a week, lasting all day, until the end of October”, adding that there will be a break between August 7 to 21 and also during the UN General Assembly in September.

President of the Republic expressed hope the Turkish side to “change behavior in order to have progress”, noting that statements by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan “are absolutely condemnable and cynical and if this is the line that the Turkish side will pursue, there will be no prospect for any progress”.

President Christofias furthermore said that he senses that the UN are also offended by Erdogan’s statements, noting that the UN also wish for genuine progress during the talks.

Invited to comment on the information for a unilateral proposal on behalf of the Turkish side regarding the opening of Famagusta, President said that “upon Erdogan’s illegal visit to the occupied areas, the UN and others in the international scene, would have expect a positive move on his behalf rather than incendiary statements”.

He added that “if this is Turkey’s official stance, it means they want recognition of the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime”.

Erdogan who is due to visit illegally Cyprus’ northern Turkish occupied areas, said that Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, adding that nobody should expect any move on behalf of Ankara regarding the fenced off area of Varosha.

Referring to his meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader, President Christofias said that both the UN and Eroglu expressed their condolences over the naval base blast on July 11, adding that “there was also an exchange of views over the electricity supply from the occupied areas”.

“The procedure followed did not involve any ‘official sides’, however I expressed my appreciation for the fact that the Turkish Cypriots stated their willingness to supply us with electricity at this crucial time, without demanding any direct or indirect recognitions of ‘authorities’ “, President underlined.

President Christofias is engaged in direct talks with Eroglu, under the UN auspices, with a view to finding a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country under a federal roof. Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.