President Christofias replies to Talat’s objections in writing

President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, highlighting the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and his own right to sign agreements with other countries, answered in writing on Tuesday to the objections of Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat regarding the signing of a political declaration between Cyprus and Russia.

Speaking on his return to the Presidential Palace after a meeting with Talat, President Christofias said that in the discussion that followed the presentation of the written statement, Talat ''explained that he does not question the right of the President of the Republic of Cyprus to sign agreements with various countries but objects to what we call the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus to a federal bicommunal bizonal state.''

President Christofias said that Talat was not speaking about a ''virgin birth'' of a new state but did not accept the position on the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus from a single to a federal state.

He said he replied to Talat's objections ''clearly on the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and the sovereign rights of Cyprus and the sea area that belongs to it and its absolute right to exploit the submarine wealth.''

On Tuesday's agenda was the civil service and the civil service committee, on which the two sides share some views and disagree on others, President Christofias said.

The next meting, scheduled for December 8, has been postponed for December 16 at the request of the UN, due to the fact that December 8 is UN Day.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

President Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since early September, aiming at reuniting the island.