Cyprus leaders to make final review

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has said that Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat will make a review and a final assessment of discussions at bicommunal teams of experts at their meeting on July 25.

Responding to questions, Stephanou said that even if the leaders decide to have direct negotiations, working groups and technical committees will continue their work, undertaking the role they will be assigned by the leaders of the two communities.

The two leaders met on July 1 for the third time in an effort to make headway towards the resumption of substantive negotiations, leading to a political settlement that will reunite Cyprus, divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Since their agreement in March this year, seven technical committees and six working groups, comprising experts from both communities, have been meeting to discuss various aspects of the Cyprus question, including governance, security, economy, health and EU matters, property and territory.