.jpg)
President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat are expected to meet again tomorrow in the framework of direct negotiations which began last September with a view to reach a solution in Cyprus and reunify the island.
UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser for Cyprus, Alexander Downer, will be attending tomorrow’s meeting.
During their last meeting, on May 14th, the leaders discussed economy issues. Tomorrow, they are expected to decide on joint papers on economic matters.
They also exchanged views on the opening of a crossing point, at Limnitis, on the north east, to facilitate movement to and from the island’s northern Turkish occupied areas.
In statements after the last leaders' meeting, President Christofias had said he expected an answer from the Turkish Cypriot leader concerning the opening of Limnitis crossing point, at their next meeting, tomorrow.
Meanwhile, yesterday, President Christofias held a meeting with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot community leaders of Pyrgos Tyllirias, whom he informed about the latest developments regarding the obstacles raised by the Turkish Cypriot side on the opening of the crossing point.
The government of Cyprus is ready to open the crossing point to facilitate free movement but the Turkish Cypriot side has asked for the supply of electricity in the area of Kokkina as well as fuel in order to give its consent to the opening of the crossing point.
Community leader of Kato Pyrgos Costas Michaelides said that “President Christofias accepts, and we accept as well, to supply electricity to the area but we agree with the President that fuel can’t be given as requested by the occupying leader”.
He said they expect to be invited by Talat to discuss the issue, adding that there is also a proposal for a joint meeting between President Christofias, Talat and the Pyrgos Tyllirias leaders “to discuss the issue and see who really is in favor of the opening of the crossing point and who is not”.
“We leave the Presidential Palace fully satisfied with what we heard from President Christofias. We hope that the next meeting will be with Mr Talat. We expect an invitation from him”, he added.
Turkish Cypriot Limnitis community leader Goksel Kabaran said that Talat informed them that President Christofias does not accept to supply the area with fuel, but with electricity.
“President Christofias is right”, he said, adding that they expect Talat to set a date for a meeting with them.
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 reach a solution of the Cyprus problem and reunite the island.
