About us
  |  
Advertising
  |  
Contact
  |  
Get Home Delivery
  |  
RSS
  |  
Share on your site
  |  
MULTIMEDIA
May 27, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cyprus leaders meet after 23-day break

25 February 2010 / TODAY’S ZAMAN, İSTANBUL
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias held their 68th meeting to find a lasting solution to unify Cyprus on Tuesday following a 23-day recess.

The United Nation's secretary-general's special representative to Cyprus, Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, and UN Special Envoy to Cyprus Alexander Downer also attended the meeting. The leaders were expected to discuss “administration and power sharing,” “the European Union” and “economic issues.” Downer also met with the two leaders separately on Monday. Christofias reportedly said he wanted to discuss the economy.

The last such meeting between the two leaders was held on Jan. 29. They also met during UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Feb. 1 visit to the island to convey his “personal support” to both of the island's leaders. Stressing their determination to continue the peace talks, they decided to hold meetings yesterday and on March 4, 16 and 30. The KKTC side wanted to add four more meetings, but Greek Cyprus rejected this proposal. The leaders discussed administration and power sharing during the Jan. 29 meeting, and Downer said they made “significant progress.”

Meanwhile, during a press conference on Monday, US Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Philip J. Crowley said he agrees with US Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffery's remarks on Cyprus.

The US ambassador to Turkey reportedly said Turkey does not invade its neighbors, but has security concerns in Cyprus. When asked by a journalist if he agreed with the ambassador's statement that Turkey did not invade Cyprus, Crowley said there is a very constructive dialogue going on between Turkey and Greece, between the Turkish Cypriot community and the Greek Cypriot community, aided by the UN. ''We are pleased to be -- to play a role in that,” Crowley said.

While the Cypriot leaders met to settle the problems surrounding the unification of the island, the Turkish Cypriot Parliament adopted a resolution stating that the Treaty of Guarantee has an indispensable role in the solution process in Cyprus in an extraordinary session on Wednesday.

The resolution was interpreted by many analysts as a reprisal for the Greek Cypriot resolution several weeks ago that there should not be provisions for guarantors or guarantees. The resolution, approved by all five political parties represented in the KKTC Parliament, highlighted the sensitivities of the Turkish Cypriot nation. The resolution said the Greek Cypriot Parliament's Feb. 19 resolution was an ill-intentioned initiative aimed at undermining the meaning and grounds of the comprehensive peace talks to unify the Cyprus. The resolution also underlined that the Turkish Cypriot nation is ready for a lasting and fair solution to the problem that will protect the rights and benefits of the Turkish community on the island.

Holding a press conference on the issue on Tuesday, KKTC Parliament Speaker Hasan Bozer said the Greek Cypriot side tried to sabotage the ongoing talks on the island while the Turkish Cypriots displayed the will to solve the problem. Pointing to the Greek Cypriot Parliament's recent decision, which claimed that the Treaty of Guarantee was "unacceptable and invalid," Bozer said the treaty was "an indispensable red line" for the Turkish Cypriot nation, adding that the KKTC Parliament would adopt a decision against the Greek Cypriot Parliament's ruling during Wednesday's gathering.

 
Weather
City>>
ISTANBUL
Today Mon Tue
14C°
22C°
15C°
23C°
15C°
22C°
 

© Feza Gazetecilik A.Ş. 2007, Ahmet Taner Kışlalı Cad. No: 6, Bahçelievler - İstanbul 34194 Turkey, +90 (212) 454 1454, +90 (212) 454 1497(fax)