President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias said on Wednesday that he could not send a hopeful message regarding talks to solve the Cyprus problem.

Speaking after a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, in the context of direct talks to solve the Cyprus problem, President Christofias expressed hope that on Friday, when the last meeting before the meeting of the leaders of the two communities in New York with the UN Secretary General takes place, he would be able to be more optimistic.

President Christofias said that during Wednesday`s meeting they reviewed the positions of the two sides on core issues, noting that differences remain regarding the executive powers and that the Turkish side has withdrawn from what had been agreed on with former leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mehmet Ali Talat.

“Our agreement with Mr. Talat led to the full implementation of the four freedoms in the federal Cyprus, with a transitional period in between. In the property chapter, there are also significant differences, as in the EU chapter. We are very close on issues concerning the legislative power,“ he said.

President Christofias expressed hope that the Turkish side would attend the meeting on Friday with revised positions, which would not lead to “two states“, a position that “cannot be accepted by the Greek Cypriot side.“

“So, I am not thrilled today, on the contrary, while we are heading towards New York, the message I can give is not hopeful today. I hope that on Friday I will be able to do so,“ he concluded.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-led talks are currently underway in an effort to reunify the island.