UN says that tirst day of Cypriot talks were positive

The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders have held “positive, productive and vigorous” discussions during the first of two days of talks between the leaders and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a senior United Nations envoy said tonight.

Speaking at Manhasset, outside New York, where the talks began this morning, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, said the UN was pleased with the way that the talks involving Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu were progressing.

These two days of talks represent the fourth time that Mr. Ban has met directly with the two leaders in a bid to strengthen the wider UN-backed process aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island, and follow a meeting in New York in November last year and talks in Geneva in January and July this year.

Mr. Downer said Mr. Ban met with Mr. Christofias a
nd Mr. Eroglu for two hours today to discuss four core issues: governance and power-sharing, especially regarding the presidency property territory and citizenship.

Mr. Downer and B. Lynn Pascoe, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, then held extensive discussions with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot delegations that focused on the same core issues.

“I think it is fair to say, and I am quoting the two sides here, rather than using my own words, but it certainly reflects the United Nations’ own view, that these discussions have been positive, productive and vigorous — appropriately vigorous and certainly positive and productive,” Mr. Downer said.