by halil » Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:27 pm
New members were present in the two leaders’ special teams with the opening of a new chapter.
The Head of Prime Ministry’s EU Coordination Office Erhan Ercin joined the Turkish Cypriot team, and former Greek Cypriot president Yorgos Vasiliou entered into the Greek Cypriot team.
Reading out a short statement at the end of the meeting, Mr Downer said it was decided by the leaders that they would refer some of the particularly technical legal issues to the experts who will be meeting to discuss those further both on Friday and Monday.
Downer added that none of the EU institutions are directly involved at the talks, but they will still be providing technical assistance when requested.
Evaluating today’s round on his return to the Presidential Palace, President Mehmet Ali Talat said they had discussions on relations between the EU and the united Cyprus.
He stated that written texts over the issue have been referred to their special representatives Ozdil Nami and Yorgos Yakovou and EU experts in their teams.
These then will be taken up at next week’s meeting which is scheduled to take place on 17th March, the President said.
Mr Talat said the issues concerning the chapter on EU matters, which is the third chapter of talks, will quickly be reviewed by Mr Christofias and himself once their experts on EU and special representatives complete their studies.
`We hope to reach very close approaches with the Greek Cypriot side` Talat went on saying and explained that working groups have already reached some common approach on EU-related issues.
He also underlined the need for continuing with the terminology which is already adopted at previous talks.
Answering a reporter’s question, President Talat said the reports prepared by working groups before the re-launch of negotiations are now being taken up at the talks which can promote further rapprochment between the two sides.
He noted that the EU-related issues are mostly about technical issues and that’s why they have primarily been referred to experts and working groups.
Adding that they might ask for technical and legal support from the EU institutions,
the President said the EU won’t be having any other political involvement in the process.