TALAT CONVEYED HIS DISAPPOINTMENT TO CHRISTOFIAS OVER THE SIGNING OF A MANIFESTO WITH RUSSIA
President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that he has conveyed his disappointment to the Greek Cypriot Leader over the signing of a manifesto between the Greek Cypriot Side and Russia.
President Talat was speaking to reporters after yesterday’s meeting between him and the Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias.
The two leaders have been continuing the negotiations since the 3rd of September with the aim of bringing about a comprehensive agreement to the Cyprus problem.
But, last week, Mr Christofias signed a manifesto with Russia. Among other things, the agreement includes the Cyprus issue.
The Turkish Cypriot Side – which strongly reacted to the signing of the manifesto – says it is as an attempt to change the standing parameters for a solution in Cyprus.
Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Christofias, President Talat said that he told Mr Christofias that he was harming the negotiations process by trying to gain the support of Russia - a UN Security Council member - on issues being discussed at the negotiations table.
`With his current attitude, Mr Christofias has created a crisis of confidence and fell into contradiction with his own statements in support of a solution in Cyprus` Mr Talat added.
In his statement to the press, President Talat also gave an answer to Mr Christofias who has been arguing that the only problem in Cyprus was the prevention of the `legitimate government of the Republic of Cyprus from exercising its sovereignty in the North.
‘The Cyprus issue is not this. We are in a situation that we are searching for a comprehensive settlement that will re-create a partnership state which was collapsed in 1963. It is out of question for the `Cyprus government` to extend its sovereignty over the North. The negotiations are not being carried out with this objective’ the President said.
Mr Talat also noted that there are two communities in Cyprus, not one as claimed by the Greek Cypriot Side.
Yesterday’s discussions between the two leaders focused on the issues of federal offenses and federal police.
In a short statement at the end of the meeting, the UN Special Representative for Cyprus Taye-Brooke Zerihoun said the leaders have reached almost full convergence on federal offences and agreed on some issues concerning the federal police.
He noted that Talat and Christofias will discuss the topics of “federal public service”, “external offences” and “public commission” when they will meet next Tuesday.
Talks dissolve into row
By Jean Christou
CYPRUS talks began yesterday with a fierce 20-minute row after Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat unexpectedly read out a statement criticising President Demetris Christofias` trip to Russia.
According to sources close to the talks, it was a long letter and angered Christofias to the point where the two leaders engaged in a shouting match for between 20 minutes and half an hour before eventually getting down to business.
The Turkish Cypriot side has been complaining about the Moscow trip since Christofias visited Russia a week ago.
Still annoyed when he returned to the Presidential Palace after the talks, Christofias said the negotiating table was not the time or the place to read out Turkish Cypriot gripes about his trip.
He said while the talks had not gone badly in respect of discussions on federal crime, and in fact agreement had been reached, he was “dismayed” over Talat’s reading of the statement.
“I have already replied to Mr Talat orally but I have reserved the right to respond in writing,” said Christofias.
“I am sorry but this is not an issue on the agenda of the talks. Mr Talat had every right to make his statement but not in that particular place, at the UN premises. These issues are not on the agenda of the talks. These are not issues which we agreed to discuss before the UN.”
He said he had also asked the UN not to become involved in the spat over the Russia visit, even though Talat had “chosen to air his complaints within the framework of the UN”.
“I told them it was a debate between myself and Mr Talat,” he added.
Christofias said Talat had no right to question the sovereign right of the Republic of Cyprus to conclude agreements with other countries, and rejected all the criticisms dished out by Talat in his statement.
“We will continue doing this until we reach a solution of the Cyprus problem, until the future Federal United Republic of Cyprus concludes agreements with other states,” he said.
Christofias did not rule out that Talat’s move might have been linked to Turkey’s ongoing attempts to scare off vessels exploring for hydrocarbons on behalf of the government.
“I am saddened by Mr Talat’s actions and I associate them with Turkey’s provocations,” he said but added that ultimately everything would hinge on the outcome of the negotiations.
“It is true that these things cause tension. It is also true that one needs nerves of steel,” said Christofias.
“I invite Talat to come together and solve the Cyprus problem and all those issues will be solved automatically, with a just, viable and functional solution.”
Speaking of the negotiations proper yesterday, Christofias said they had reached an agreement on what constituted a federal offence.
“We also discussed the issue of federal police, where we have noted convergence but also deviations. We will continue the discussion”, he added.
The next meeting between the leaders will be held next Tuesday.
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