CYPRUS LEADERS DISCUSS SECURITY DURING LATEST ROUND OF UN-BACKED TALKS

CYPRUS LEADERS DISCUSS SECURITY DURING LATEST ROUND OF UN-BACKED TALKS
New York, Jul 17 2009 3:00PM
Security was again the focus during the latest round of United Nations-backed talks today between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders as they try to reach a solution that will unify the Mediterranean island.

Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met in Nicosia for several hours of discussions, the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, told journalists.

"Next week, the leaders will continue to discuss security and they will also discuss… governance and power-sharing, and in the context of governance and power-sharing they will discuss aliens, immigration, asylum and citizenship," Mr. Downer said.

He said the leaders also briefly discussed the mechanics of an agreement on the opening of a crossing between the two sides.

Today's discussions were only the latest round of UN-backed talks between the two leaders aimed at reunifying the island of Cyprus.

In May 2008, Mr. Christofias and Mr. Talat committed themselves to working towards "a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions."

The partnership would comprise a Federal Government with a single international personality, along with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which would be of equal status.
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CYPRIOT LEADERS RESUME UN-LED TALKS ON PROPERTY

CYPRIOT LEADERS RESUME UN-LED TALKS ON PROPERTY
New York, Feb 25 2009 4:00PM

Focusing on the issue of property, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders resumed talks today as part of United Nations-sponsored negotiations aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island.

Greek Cypriot leader, Dimitris Christofias, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, met today in Nicosia, where they had a nearly two-hour tête-à-tête followed by discussions on the criteria for setting the property issue.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Cyprus, Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, said that the leaders have decided to continue these discussions next Thursday, 5 March.

After property, the next item of discussion will be matters concerning the European Union, he added.

In May 2007 the Cypriot leaders committed to a partnership that will comprise a Federal Government with a single international identity, as well as a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State which will be of equal status.
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