Cyprus leaders to meet on January 12

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu will be holding a new meeting on January 12, in the context of UN-led direct negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem.

The meeting will be preceded by a meeting of the aides of the leaders of the two communities, George Iacovou and Kudret Ozersay, on January 5.

In statements to CNA, Iacovou said that, according to Eroglu's doctors, the Turkish Cypriot leader, who recently underwent heart surgery, will be well enough to attend the meeting on January 12.

Iacovou noted that during yesterday’s meeting with Ozersay they discussed issues concerning governance, adding that on January 5 they will be discussing issues relating to the economy and the EU, in preparation for the leaders' meeting on January 12.

Asked if during the meeting with Ozersay he raised the interruption of the Christmas liturgy in the Turkish occupied areas, Iacovou said he did not, since representations had already been made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the UN.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

The Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides have been engaged in talks since September 2008 with a view to finding a negotiated settlement to reunite the country under a federal roof. Talks were postponed earlier this month when Eroglu had to undergo emergency heart surgery in Ankara.