From the TRNC Presidency web site:
Talat-Christofias Meeting... Talat: “We Wanted Solution Before the End of 2008... Now, the Target is, Solution As Soon As Possible”
President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias stated that they will work towards the earliest possible solution in Cyprus.
The two leaders met today at the residence of United Nations Special Representative Michael Moller in the buffer zone. The meeting, which began at 10:05 a.m., lasted for about three and a half hours.
According to information given by UNFICYP Spokesperson Jose Diaz, Talat, Christofias, Moller and the advisers of the two sides attended the first part of the meeting. The two leaders later met alone. The last part of the meeting was again attended by the leaders’ advisers. A joint statement was made following the meeting. The statement, read by Moller, is as follows:
“I am very pleased to announce the following on behalf of the two leaders.
The leaders met today in a very positive and cordial atmosphere and exchanged views on a number of issues, achieving a great degree of convergence. They have decided to ask their respective advisers to meet this coming week in order to set up a number of working groups and technical committees, establish their agendas, and to do so in the most expeditious way possible.
In taking full responsibility for the conduct of future negotiations, the leaders have also agreed to meet three months from now to review the work of the working groups and technical committees, and using their results, to start full-fledged negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The leaders have also agreed to meet as and when needed prior to the commencement of their formal negotiations.
The leaders have also agreed that Ledra Street will, as soon as technically possible, open and function in accordance with the established practices at other crossings.
The issue of the opening of the Limnitis crossing and other crossings is also on the agenda for the coming meetings of their advisers.”
Talat and Christofias answered the media’s questions following the joint statement.
Christofias said that the statement read by Moller is quite clear. Asked how the coffee was, Christofias said: “It was Cypriot coffee.”
Christofias stated that he is waiting for the working groups and technical committees to be established. “They will begin working following the meeting of our advisers,” said Christofias. “They will do the work, which will help us begin a comprehensive dialogue in three months.”
Christofias said that they have agreed to work with good will. “Let’s see what will happen this time. Talat and Christofias are old friends, they cannot become enemies,” he said.
In response to a question on whether this is the implementation of the 8 July agreement, President Talat said: “The statement is very clear. We are establishing technical committees and working groups. This will give rise to a date to begin negotiations. This is a new period. We are working to solve the Cyprus problem. Our goal is to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem as soon as possible. That’s all.”
Talat added that they will meet before the end of the three-month period if necessary. In response to a question on what the ground of negotiations will be, Talat stated that they did not discuss that, but only talked about procedure without discussing parameters.
Christofias added that they have agreed to only underline the issues that they have agreed on. The Greek Cypriot leader said they would jointly study the issues of disagreement. “We would only like to express what we have agreed,” said Christofias.
In response to a question on time limits, Talat stated that, as the Turkish Cypriot side, they wanted a solution before the end of 2008 but their ta |
