Talat envisions referendum on Cyprus issue by end of 2009 or early 2010

NICOSIA, Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat said on Saturday (May 9th) his side plans to call a referendum on a reunification proposal by the end of this year or early in 2010. He said his aim is to complete the first phase of reunification talks with Cypriot President Demetris Christofias in late June, finish the second by the end of July and start a so-called “give-and-take process” in September.

“We know that the international community and the UN are positive on such a timetable,” he added. “As we achieved progress in the most difficult areas, there is no reason not to complete the talks successfully,” he stressed. Talat and Christofias have so far completed negotiations on administration and power sharing, property and EU affairs.