Intensive Cyprus talks between Christofias and Talat continue on Tuesday

President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat continue on Tuesday the second meeting of the intensive round of talks, in the context of the ongoing UN-led negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

The intensive round is being held at the official residence of UNFICYP Chief of Mission in the UN Protected Area in two phases. The first round of meetings began on Monday and will continue until Wednesday and the second on the 25th, 26th and 27th of January.

Yesterday’s meeting focused on governance. President Christofias told reporters on Monday that the two leaders exchanged views freely on the various aspects of governance, without any document as a basis.

He also expressed hope that at the end of the day there would be more convergences between the positions of the two sides.

The intensive talks began at the backdrop of the proposals submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side, which have been described by the Greek Cypriot side as ''unacceptable.''

The two leaders have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 with a view to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.