Cyprus President hopes for positive outcome on EU matters’ discussion

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias has expressed hope that discussions on European Union matters, in the context of the ongoing UN-led direct negotiations, will have a positive outcome.

In statements after his 22nd meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, in the framework of the direct negotiations aiming to solve the Cyprus problem, and asked whether or not the discussion on EU matters would have a better outcome than the discussion on the issue of properties, Christofias said that “this is what we have always hoped for and aim at.”

Asked to comment on the outcome of today’s meeting, President Christofias referred journalists to the statement after the meeting, by Alexander Downer, the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus.

“I think the statement made by Mr. Downer is clear. We still have a long way to go”, he said.

Asked if the contribution of EU experts is needed at this stage of the talks, President Christofias said that this will be considered during the course of discussions.

Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations with a view to solving the question of Cyprus, divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.