Positive atmosphere on Cyprus talks

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Published on Tuesday, 01 November 2011 10:13

A senior United Nations envoy, Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-moon, said that the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders had "positive, productive and vigorous" meeting within the first of two days of talks between the leaders and himself.

The talks began yesterday at Manhasset, outside New York, where the Special Adviser on Cyprus of the Secretary-General Mr Alexander Downer, said that the UN was happy with the way that the talks in regards to Greek Cypriot leader Mr Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Dervis Eroglu were moving forward. Mr Ban has met with the both leaders for the fourth time direct with the target to proceed on the reunifying of the Mediterranean island.

Mr Ban and Mr Downer met with Mr Christofias and Mr Eroglu for two hours to discuss four main matters: governance and power-sharing, especially in regards to the presidency property territory and citizenship.

"I think it is fair to say, and I am quoting the two sides here, rather than using my own words, but it certainly reflects the own view of the United Nations, that these discussions have been certainly positive, productive and appropriately vigorous," Mr Downer also pointed out that it was not the role of the UN to arbitrate in this process or force the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to reach convergences on main matters.

By Irina Lelina for Areti Charidemou & Associates LLC