Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-02-17

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRUS TALKS

[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRUS TALKS

In statements after the meeting he held Thursday with Eroglu in the framework of the UN led Cyprus talks, President Christofias said he also asked the Turkish Cypriot side to reaffirm the basis on which the Cyprus talks are being held.

This issue, he said, will be further discussed next Friday, in the presence of UN Secretary Generals Special Advisor for Cyprus, Alexander Downer.

Speaking to journalists, the President said that the Greek Cypriot side has suggested that more meetings are held between the leaders of the two communities, saying that this issue will also be discussed at their next meeting.

The President reiterated his position that the negotiating chapters on properties and territory should be linked together, saying that the Turkish Cypriot side insists on not accepting this. He expressed deep concern over the real motives of the Turkish Cypriot side.

Unfortunately, the Turkish Cypriot side does not accept this, he said, expressing his concern over the stance of the Turkish Cypriot side and its real aims.

I am concerned whether the Turkish Cypriot side really wants a solution soon as it constantly declares, he stressed.

He said that without linking the two chapters no serious decisions can be made as regards the issue of properties.

Everybody should be aware of this and I believe that the Turkish Cypriot side and the UN know this, he continued.

During the meeting, he said, they confirmed the progress achieved at the last meeting between the top aides of the two leaders on the chapters of the economy and the EU.

He also reassured that he would continue his efforts for a solution in Cyprus.

I do not lose hope. We will continue the efforts because life itself demands the solution of the Cyprus problem, he concluded.

Meanwhile, in her statements after the meeting, UNSG`s Special Representative in Cyprus, Lisa Buttenheim said that the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus met on Thursday and confirmed the progress achieved in the last two meetings of the representatives on economy and EU matters.

She added that the leaders of the two communities would be meeting again on February 25 and that in the meantime their representatives would be holding three more meetings to continue discussions on the economy, EU matters, and governance and power sharing.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and since then occupy 37% of the Republic of Cyprus territory, situated in the north.

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu are currently engaged in UN-led negotiations, with an aim to reunify the island.

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