National Council convenes to review developments in Cyprus talks

The National Council, top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem, convenes on Friday morning under President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, to review the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

The meeting takes place in the light of the conclusion of the first round of UN-led intensive talks between the leaders of the two communities, President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has stressed that a Turkish Cypriot document, conveyed to President Christofias outlining the positions of the Turkish Cypriot side, is not a basis for negotiations, as parliamentary party leaders, who make up the National Council, have agreed.

“The Greek Cypriot proposals President Christofias submitted – at the intensive talks on Tuesday – are not a response to the Turkish Cypriot document, nor are they new proposals,” he added.

The political leadership has rejected the Turkish Cypriot document as “unacceptable”. It provided for two FIR in Cyprus, after a solution, and rights to Turkish nationals which EU citizens enjoy.

Commenting on documents submitted by the two sides at the talks, he said that discussions were being held on these proposals in order to find more convergences, on the basis agreed on before the talks began in September 2008.

On Saturday, President Christofias will be flying to Athens for talks with the Greek leadership on the Cyprus problem, prior to the second round of intensive talks, which begins on January 25.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Peace talks began in September 2008 with a view to finding a negotiated settlement to reunite the country. So far, Christofias and Talat have had about 60 meetings, under UN auspices and on Monday, they had a three-day intensive round of talks.