The UN chief's special envoy to Cyprus said Monday he would help prepare for new talks later this month between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to revive the stalled peace process.
The first meeting between Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias, who is Cyprus' new president, and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat is expected to be held in the second half of March, Michael Moller told reporters after he met with Christofias.
"Now we will begin preparations for this meeting, possibly towards the end of the second half of this month," Moller said, adding that no specific date has been set for the meeting yet.
"I'm trying to make sure that it can happen before the end of the month ... I hope that very soon we will be able to give you some good news," Moller said.
Moller, who discussed the meeting with Talat last Friday, said both Christofias and Talat have expressed their willingness to restart the negotiations as soon as possible.
Talks were stalled after Greek Cypriots rejected a UN reunification plan in a 2004 referendum. But Turkish Cypriots backed the plan.
The two leaders are expected to visit Greece and Turkey respectively this week to coordinate their positions with the two "guarantors" for the reunification of the eastern Mediterranean island state. Athens and Ankara have played a crucial role concerning decades-old Cyprus problem.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily intervened and occupied the north of Cyprus following a coup by a group of Greek officers, who pushed for a quick union with Greece.
In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot authorities declared breakaway from Cyprus and set up "the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which is only recognized by Turkey.
Elected on Feb. 24, Christofias moved to restart talks with Talat within hours, calling it his government's top priority. Talat has said he believes a reunification deal could be reached by the end of the year.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article