CYPRIOT LEADERS RESUME DISCUSSIONS AS PART OF UN-LED REUNIFICATION PROCESS

CYPRIOT LEADERS RESUME DISCUSSIONS AS PART OF UN-LED REUNIFICATION PROCESS
New York, Jan 12 2009 1:10PM
United Nations-led talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island continued today with a focus on relations between a federal government and constituent States, as well as on deadlock-resolving mechanisms.

Last May, Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat committed to a partnership that will comprise a Federal Government with a single international identity, along with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which will be of equal status.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting in the UN Protected Area in Nicosia, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General Alexander Downer said discussions are slated to continue on Friday.

"That will be the last discussion for the time being between the leaders on governance and power sharing," he noted, adding that at the meeting following that, talks will focus on the property question.

The full-fledged power-sharing negotiations, central to the reunification process in Cyprus, began last September.

UN peacekeepers have been deployed in Cyprus since 1964 to prevent fighting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
Jan 12 2009 1:10PM
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