Cyprus leaders continue UN-led direct talks

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat hold on Wednesday their third meeting in the framework of the second round of UN-led direct negotiations, which began in September 2008, with a view to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.

Christofias and Talat decided during their previous meeting in September 2009 to accelerate the pace of their meetings, which take place in the UN-controlled buffer zone. They have already scheduled their next three meetings to be held October 8, 14 and 15.

In statements after their previous meeting, Christofias said that the Turkish side had shifted its stance on the issue of executive powers, in the context of negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem, adding that the new revised proposals on governance would be sent to experts for further consideration.