Greek Cypriot President-Elect's Plans For Talks

Senior UN envoy welcomes Greek Cypriot President-elect's plans for talks

25 February 2008 - Congratulating Demetris Christofias on his election as President and leader of the Greek Cypriot community, the top United Nations official on the Mediterranean island today praised his stated plans to soon begin talks with the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community.

In a statement, Michael Møller, the Secretary-General's Special Representative and the head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), said "he welcomes the President-elect's intention to move quickly to start talks with a view to reaching a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

"In this context he looks forward to an early meeting of the leaders and stands ready to assist them," the statement added.

Mr. Møller pledged the UN's commitment to supporting Mr. Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat, the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, "in their common search for a solution."

UNFICYP was established in March 1964 following the outbreak of intercommunal violence and is tasked with preventing a recurrence of fighting, contributing to the maintenance and restoration of law and order and a return to normal conditions.

ENDS

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