Cyprus talks to continue discussion on the executive

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus meet here Thursday to continue their discussion on governance, focusing on the executive.

Speaking after Wednesday’s meeting, UN SG Special Representative in Cyprus, Taye-Brook Zerihoun, expressed hope that the leaders will make advances in the next weeks and move the peace process forward.

The leaders meet in the framework of the second round of UN-led negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem. Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, Zerihoun said, initially had at first a tete – a – tete meeting, in the presence of their representatives.

They then continued discussion on the chapter of governance, focusing on the executive. “The atmosphere was good. They will continue discussions today and hopefully move ahead on the issues”, he said.

He announced that today, the leaders will plant two olive trees during a special ceremony, prior to the start of their meeting.

Another event, organised by bicommunal civil society organisations, will also take place during which representatives will express their solidarity to the leaders and their support to the process.

Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 with a view to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.