UN envoy points to March 2012 as new deadline for Cyprus peace talks

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s special envoy for Cyprus, Alexander Downer, appeared to talk of a deadline for talks to reunite Cyprus, saying from March 2012 it will be difficult for Greek Cypriots to both prepare for their term at the helm of the European Union and to conduct talks with Turkish Cypriots to reunite the island.

Downer declined to utter any date as a deadline for the Cyprus talks, saying instead the talks should be concluded as soon as possible, but went on to explain that it will be a lot more difficult to go on with the talks as of March 2012, when the Greek Cypriot administration will probably have to begin preparations for its term as EU president.

The Cypriot leaders are due to meet again the UN secretary-general in June.