Progress reported in Cyprus talks ahead of Turkish Cypriot vote
Progress reported in Cyprus talks ahead of Turkish Cypriot vote
08:57, March 17, 2010 
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Leaders of Cyprus' two communities have made further progress on Tuesday in their negotiations aimed at solving the Cyprus problem.
A United Nations official said after a five-hour negotiating session that the two leaders had a very good meeting, discussing what he called very technical points on relations between a future Cyprus federal state and the European Union.
Alexander Downer, the United Nations Secretary General's special advisor on Cyprus, said the issue will be further discussed by the two leaders' advisors later this week in an effort to close any remaining gaps.
Cyprus President Christofias, acting as leader of the Greek Cypriot community, also implied that new convergence had been made at talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
"I believe we are achieving something," he said. "We do not waste our time."
Christofias and Talat have been engaged in negotiations for over 18 months under United Nations auspices.
They are to hold their last meeting on March 30 before the talks recess ahead of a Turkish Cypriot vote to elect a new leader in April.
Christofias did not rule out the possibility of issuing a joint statement with Talat at their last meeting, to sum up what they have achieved so far.
The United Nations and the two leaders are keen to achieve as much progress as possible before the Turkish Cypriot vote on April 18. Polls have put right-wing nationalist politician Dervis Eroglu in the lead. He is currently holding the post of "Prime Minister" of the breakaway "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," recognized only by Turkey.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily intervened and occupied the north of the island following a coup by a group of Greek officers.
A solution to re-unify the island is of crucial importance to Turkey's bid to join the European Union. The Republic of Cyprus, an EU member since May 2004, can block Turkey's progress if the current negotiations failed to reach a solution.
Source: Xinhua
A United Nations official said after a five-hour negotiating session that the two leaders had a very good meeting, discussing what he called very technical points on relations between a future Cyprus federal state and the European Union.
Alexander Downer, the United Nations Secretary General's special advisor on Cyprus, said the issue will be further discussed by the two leaders' advisors later this week in an effort to close any remaining gaps.
Cyprus President Christofias, acting as leader of the Greek Cypriot community, also implied that new convergence had been made at talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
"I believe we are achieving something," he said. "We do not waste our time."
Christofias and Talat have been engaged in negotiations for over 18 months under United Nations auspices.
They are to hold their last meeting on March 30 before the talks recess ahead of a Turkish Cypriot vote to elect a new leader in April.
Christofias did not rule out the possibility of issuing a joint statement with Talat at their last meeting, to sum up what they have achieved so far.
The United Nations and the two leaders are keen to achieve as much progress as possible before the Turkish Cypriot vote on April 18. Polls have put right-wing nationalist politician Dervis Eroglu in the lead. He is currently holding the post of "Prime Minister" of the breakaway "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," recognized only by Turkey.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily intervened and occupied the north of the island following a coup by a group of Greek officers.
A solution to re-unify the island is of crucial importance to Turkey's bid to join the European Union. The Republic of Cyprus, an EU member since May 2004, can block Turkey's progress if the current negotiations failed to reach a solution.
Source: Xinhua
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