Cyrpus President Christofias: We proceed to talks with self-confidence

The Greek Cypriot side proceeds to direct negotiations for a Cyprus solution with self-confidence, President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias said Thursday.
The Cypriot President and his aides left the Presidential Palace in the morning heading to Nicosia airport, in the UN-controlled buffer zone, where substantive negotiations for a Cyprus solution begin in a fresh attempt to reunify Cyprus, divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied one third of the island’s territory.
“We proceed to the talks with self-confidence. Our cause is a just cause. We will defend it and I hope and wish that the other side will show the same good will and understanding”, the President said, replying to questions before his departure from the Presidential Palace.
Asked whether there have been any signs of good will from the Turkish Cypriot side in the past few days, President Christofias noted that everything would be judged at the negotiating table.
“All should be judged at the negotiating table. What is being said outside is important but it is of a secondary importance, given the fact that the real positions of the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots are expressed there (at the negotiations)”, he noted.
Asked whether today’s negotiation would be a long one, he said that if there is mobility then the meeting, scheduled for 1000 (0700 GMT)) could end after 1200 (0900 GMT).
Today, he said, the discussion will focus on governance.
The next meeting of the leaders, President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, is scheduled for September 18.