Cyprus Community leaders hold last meeting of intensive talks

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, continue here today their discussions on governance and power sharing, as part of their effort to find a negotiated settlement.

Today, is the last day of the second round of intensive talks. The first round took place 11, 12 and 13 January while the second round began Monday and will end today.

In statements to the press on his return to the Presidential Palace after the conclusion of yesterday’s meeting, President Christofias said discussions will continue today on the chapter of governance and power sharing.

Speaking after Tuesday’s meeting, UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer, said that the two leaders will make a decision about when would they next like to meet and that they will have more to announce today after the second intensive round is finished.

Asked about reports that UN Secretary-General is coming to Cyprus on Sunday, he pointed out that the Secretary-General’s travel arrangements are ultimately determined in New York, not by the UN offices in Nicosia.

“When the Secretary-General next departs from New York a statement of that kind will be issued by his office in New York”, he said.

President Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 with a view to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.