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FULL-FLEDGED TALKS RESUME WITH A NEW CHAPTER: THE PROPERTY

Property lies ahead.Cyprus Leaders have given the start to a new chapter at peace talks.The issue of property, which many perceive as the most critical issue that will determine the solution of the Cyprus problem, has been put on the table.
Mehmet Ali Talat and Demetris Christofias started negotiating the second chapter of talks with a new staff in their delegations.
The Turkish Cypriot delegation is joined by Hasan Findik- the Head of the Working Group on Property and Serdar Hoca- a member of the Group.
Former Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Markulli and Andreas Simeu joined the Greek Cypriot delegation on the other hand.
As usual, the two leaders first held a one-hour long tete-a-tete meeting during which they formally presented their principles to each other which should guide the detailed negotiation on the second chapter- the property issue.

Talat and Christofias will hold their next meeting on the 4th February during which they are expected to present their initial reactions to each others’ papers regarding their positions over the property chapter.


Transcript of Remarks by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Tayé-Brook Zerihoun Following 28 January Meeting

Good afternoon. The two Leaders today started, as you all know, the negotiations on the property issue. As customary they started with a one hour tête à tête following which the two sides formally presented the principles which will guide the negotiations on the property issue. They have agreed to meet again a week from today, on the 4th of February, at which they will present their initial reactions to each other’s paper or positions. Also the two representatives will meet next week to continue efforts towards full convergence on the governance chapter. They will also take up other issues. During their tête à tête the two Leaders also agreed to implement the understanding or the agreement reached in the technical committee on cultural heritage, namely the establishment of an advisory board on the preservation and physical protection, restoration of immovable cultural heritage of Cyprus.

Question:
Have the two sides tabled any papers on the property issue?

Answer:
Yes, they have exchanged papers which, as I said, put down the principles they believe should guide the detailed discussions. And, as I said, next week when they meet they will react, present their initial reaction to those principles.

UNFICYP