UN-Backed Talks On Cyprus Peace Process

Leaders Continue UN-Backed Talks On Cyprus Peace Process

New York, Nov 25 2008 1:10PM

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders continued United Nations-sponsored talks on the reunification of the Mediterranean island today, focusing on the issues of federal offences and the federal police.

In May, Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat committed to a partnership that will comprise a Federal Government with a single international identity, along with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which will be of equal status.

Speaking to the press after today’s two-and-a-half hour meeting in Nicosia, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Cyprus reported that the two leaders reached “almost full convergence” on what constitutes federal offences.

“On the federal police, they reached some convergence and they have other areas to discuss when they meet next week,” Tayé-Brook Zerihoun added.

The leaders are scheduled to meet again on 2 December, when they will continue the discussions on the federal police, as well as take up the Federal Public Service, the Federal Public Commission and also external affairs.

The full-fledged negotiations between the leaders began in September with discussions on the issues of governance and power sharing.

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