Cyprus President: Significant differences of views on property issue

There are significant differences with regard to the views of the two communities concerning the question of properties and we shall come back to it, Cyprus President Demetris Christofias has said.

In statements at the Presidential Palace, before leaving for his 21st meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, in the framework of direct negotiations on the Cyprus question, which began in September last year, and invited to say if this is going to be their last meeting on the issue of properties, Christofias said: “We will see. It is possible. Not the last one. It will be (the last) meeting of this round on the issue of properties.”

He added that “the issue of properties does not close”, noting that “there are significant differences of views and we shall come back to it.”

Asked whether the aides of the two leaders will continue discussions on the issue of properties, Christofias replied: “We will see this in due time.”

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.