TALAT AND CHRISTOFIAS REAFFIRM COMMITTMENT FOR A FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP IN CYPRUS
The two leaders in Cyprus have reaffirmed their committment towards the establishment of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal partnership in Cyprus.
The joint statement was read out by the UN Chief of Mission in Cyprus Taye-Brook Zerihoun at the end of the meeting between President Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias which took place at Zerihoun’s residence in the UN-controlled buffer zone today.
The two leaders have decided to meet again in the second half of June to make a new assessment.
Talat and Christofias met to evaluate the work being carried out by working groups and technical committees- established to prepare the ground for fully-fledged negotiations.
Senior aides of the two leaders Ozdil Nami and Yorgos Iakovu were also present at the meeting.
Reading out the joint statement at the end of the meeting, Zerihoun said the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment for a federation on the basis of the political equality of the two sides, as defined by the UN Security Council resolutions.
UN Chief of Mission stressed the federal government will be consisting of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot constituent states and will have a single international personality, adding that the two constituent states will be of equal status.
Mr Zerihoun went on to say Nami and Yakovu will come together within 15 days to consider civilian and military confidence-building measures.
Representatives will also pursue the opening of Limlidis-Yesilirmak gate as well as other crossing points.