Cyprus leaders Christofias and Talat conclude 17th meeting

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, held their 17th meeting on Wednesday, in the framework of the UN-led direct negotiations, which began last September with a view to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.

Asked how the five-hour meeting went, President Christofias said, ‘‘we began''. Talat, when asked if he was satisfied with the meeting, said, ‘‘we will see.''

During the meeting, which took place at the UN protected area of the old now defunct Nicosia airport, the two leaders began discussions on the issue of properties.

President Christofias was accompanied by Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou, head of the working group on governance Andreas Mavrommatis, head of the working group on properties Erato Kozakou Markoullis, member of the working group on properties Andreas Symeou, and aides Toumazos Tsielepis and Menelaos Menelaou.

Their last meeting took place on January 16, when they concluded discussions on governance and power sharing.

President Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since early September last year, aiming at reunifying the island, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974.