The course of the ongoing UN-led talks will come under scrutiny on Monday when the leaders of the island’s two communities, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, meet as part of their regular meetings in the context of discussions their respective negotiators conduct.

All indications are that the positions of the two sides are still far apart and subsequently a give and take procedure is unlikely to take place any time soon.

The two negotiators, Greek Cypriot Andreas Mavroyiannis and Turkish Cypriot Kudret Ozersay, have yet to complete the screening of the issues under discussion.

In view of tomorrow’s meeting, President Anastasiades and his aides continue their consultations with a view to present at tomorrow`s meeting the actual picture as this emerges from the talks so far, given that there are substantial differences between the positions of the two sides.

The Greek Cypriot side has talked about moves on the part of the Turkish side, which would reflect its desire for a solution, in the form of confidence building measures, including the return to UN administration of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta.

Monday’s meeting is set for 11.30 local time (8.30 GMT), at the residence of the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Lisa Buttenheim. Each leader will be accompanied by his top aides and a note taker. President Anastasiades will be accompanied by his negotiator Ambassador Mavroyiannis and the Director of the Diplomatic Office Nicos Christodoulides