Cyprus leaders to hold their 27th meeting, economy to be discussed

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat will be meeting on Tuesday for their 27th meeting in the framework of UN-led direct negotiations, with a view to reach a settlement of the Cyprus problem.

During their previous meeting on 21 April, the leaders of the two communities had focused on organisational matters and preparation for discussions on the economy, UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Taye Brook Zerihoun has said.

Last week, Zerihoun and UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer were in New York for internal meetings with the Secretariat. The President of the Security Council had issued a statement where the two leaders were commended for the political leadership they have shown. The statement also welcomed the progress made so far in the fully-fledged negotiations, and the leaders’ joint statements.

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

President Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 with an aim to reunite the island.