Cyprus Talks

Direct talks for a Cyprus settlement will only take place provided substantial progress is achieved at the ongoing discussions between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities, pledged Acting President of the Republic and President of the House of Representatives Marios Karoyan.

He told reporters during a gathering for autistic children organized by the youth Association of the Democratic Party that it has become a regular theme for Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talats to insist on a timeframe of three months for direct talks to begin for a comprehensive settlement.

The 21st March agreement was clear and our position was lucid and straightforward from the start, that direct talks will take place if and provided substantial progress is achieved at the Working Groups and Technical committees, something which, unfortunately has not been achieved yet, Karoyan added.

Karoyan said that instead of insisting in his positions, Talat can substantially and positively contribute to bridging the gap to enable productive work be achieved.

We hope things develop in a different manner, to allow the two leaders start direct talks on all issues, Karoyan concluded.

Six working groups and seven technical committees, comprising experts from the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities, have been meeting in the past weeks to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations between the two community leaders.

The meetings take place following an agreement in March between President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who are set to meet in late June, according to the agreement, to take stock of the situation.

However, President Christofias, in statements last week, had said that the basis of negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem must be reassessed. He had acknowledged that there are difficulties and significant differences of views at the talks, in spite of the friendly atmosphere that prevails during the meetings.

In his statements, Defence Minister, Costas Papacostas stressed that everyones mission and commitment, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, is to make every possible effort to find a solution and for that patience and tolerance is required.

It is beyond belief to imagine that this island can be divided into two parts, to be partitioned, because a solution cannot be viable, he underlined.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the islands northern third.

Source: http://www.hri.org/news/cyprus/cna/2008/08-05-18_1.cna.html