President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias arrives in New York on Sunday to attend and address the 67th session of the UN General Assembly.

The President will be accompanied by his wife, Elsie Christofia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou Markoullis, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou, and Undersecretary to the President Titos Christophides.

On September 24, President Christofias will address the special summit on the Rule of Law, and will host a luncheon for the Ambassadors of the five permanent members of the Security Council, who he will brief on developments in the Cyprus problem and the continuing provocations of Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean.

He will also meet with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to discuss the Cyprus issue. According to Greek Cypriot sources, President Christofias will express his disappointment over the interruption of talks for a solution, due to the refusal of the Turkish Cypriot side to participate for as long as Cyprus is holding the EU presidency. The President is also expected to express readiness to attend talks for a solution.

President Christofias will refer to the Cyprus problem and Turkish threats regarding drilling for hydrocarbons in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone during his address at the UN General Assembly on September 25.

UN expectations for progress in the Cyprus issue before the presidential elections of February 2013 in the government-controlled areas of the Republic are low, even regarding the confidence-building measures discussed last week with the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer, who will not be in New York this time for meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

Furthermore, President Christofias will be meeting on September 25 with Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Demetris Avramopoulos.

He is also scheduled to meet with President of the UN General Assembly Vuk Jeremic, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan, President of Serbia Tomislav Nicolic, President of Latvia Andris Berzins and Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati.

President Christofias will also attend a luncheon hosted in honour of the heads of delegations participating in the UN General Assembly and a reception hosted by US President Barack Obama.

During his stay in New York, he will furthermore attend a dinner with Archbishop of America Demetrios and the leadership of the Cyprus Federation of America, and an event organised by the Cyprus Federation of America at Lincoln Center on the occasion of the Cypriot Presidency of the EU, which will include an official banquet and concert, and will be attended by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, and around 60 Ministers of Foreign Affairs and 100 representatives from various countries.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.