Cyprus Leaders to hold today their first meeting for 2009

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus will hold today their first meeting for 2009 in the framework of the UN- led negotiating process, which began in September with a view to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mehmet Ali Talat will hold in the morning their 14th meeting during which they will discuss chapters concerning the hierarchy of norms and other constitutional matters.

UN Secretary General’s Special Representative in Cyprus Taye Brook Zerihoun will attend today’s meeting.

During their last meeting, December 22, the two leaders issued a joint statement saying that although some progress had been made in their discussions, which aim at reaching a solution of the Cyprus problem, this has been insufficient.

However, they reaffirmed their commitment to do everything in their power to reach a settlement as soon as possible.

In their joint statement, the two leaders also said that “as we are entering a new year, we the two leaders would like to reaffirm our strong commitment to find a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem”.

UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer will be present during the meetings to follow, which are schedule to take place 12th and 16th of January.

The leaders have been engaged in direct negotiations since early September this year, aiming at reuniting the island, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.