Cyprus leaders to hold their 21st meeting

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, namely President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, will be meeting on Thursday in the context of direct negotiations to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.

Τhe meeting will take place in the UN protected area of Nicosia at 1000 local time.

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said on Wednesday that the leaders of the two communities have exchanged views on the issue of properties and their joint decision was to move on.

Replying to questions, Stephanou said it might be the last meeting on the issue of properties.

Speaking after the previous meeting on February 25, the UN Secretary General's Special Representative to Cyprus Taye Brook Zerihoun said the leaders started exchanging views on the principles that will guide the discussions on the property issue and that they have been discussing the criteria to define the parameters under which this discussion will continue.

After that, they will make a decision whether those discussions could continue in other fora, he said.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The leaders of the two communities have been engaged in direct negotiations to reach a settlement since early September 2008.