President Christofias to visit Greece between the two weeks of intensive talks

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias announced that he is going to visit Greece in the intervening week between the intensive talks that are planned for 11-13 January and for 25-27 January.

As President Christofias said on Monday after his meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in the context of direct negotiations, he will visit Greece to talk with the Greek Government on the developments regarding Cyprus issue.

The President pointed out that with today’s decision to postpone the second week of the intensive talks one week later, there will be more time for the two leaders to consider their respective positions that will be tabled in the first three days.
He added that this would allow him to travel to Greece and talk with the Greek Government on the developments.

Referring to today's meeting, the President said that with Mehmet Ali Talat they discussed issues related to governance and the European Union.

“Our advisors will meet tomorrow to discuss EU matters and we will normally meet on Monday to begin intensive talks”, he noted.

Asked whether the intensive talks will be ended after the second week, the President said that it was not specified and that it will depend on the progress and results of the two weeks.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in UN-led direct negotiations since September 2008, with an aim to reunify the island.