Cyprus leaders wrap up meeting, Downer says progress achieved

The third meeting in the context of the UN-led negotiations between President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, to reach a comprehensive mutually acceptable settlement to the protracted question of Cyprus problem, was completed on Friday.

The leaders did not make any statements after the meeting.

Special Adviser of the UN Secretary General on the Cyprus issue, Australian former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said progress has been achieved. He also said that the next meeting would take place on Monday, 13, October and that meetings will be held on a weekly basis.

The meeting was held in the Nicosia airport area, which is in the UN-controlled buffer zone and started at 0930 local time.

The aim of the full-fledged negotiations is to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem, which will safeguard the fundamental and legitimate rights and interests of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. The agreed solution will be put to separate simultaneous referenda.