Leaders to begin discussion on new chapter

Friday's meeting, which is the sixth of all day meetings to take place over the next few weeks until October, as agreed between the leaders and UNSG in Geneva last July, began a few minutes after 10:00 local time.

Turkish Cypriot leader and his advisor arrived first at the UN protected area of Nicosia Airport, where the talks take place, while President Christofias arrived a bit later.
Both leaders upon their arrival were greeted by UNSG Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexand Downer.

The previous meeting took place on August 23 and, according to the UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Liza Buttenheim, the leaders of the two communities continued discussions on governance and power sharing. She also said that the leaders will meet again on Friday in accordance to their agreed schedule, to discuss the remaining chapters.

Buttenheim also announced that President Christofias and Eroglu have agreed to hold a make up meeting for the postponed meeting on August 5 and this meeting is to take place on September 14.

The meeting, scheduled for August 5, was cancelled at the request of the Greek Cypriot negotiating team. The request was accepted by both the UN and the Turkish Cypriot team.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.