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[halil]

Transcript of Remarks by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Tayé-Brook Zerihoun following 21 April Meeting

Good afternoon. As is customary the meeting started with a tête-à-tête for a little over an hour and then the rest of the discussion centred on organisational matters: on how to prepare better for the discussions on the chapter on the economy. To prepare the documentation and to really streamline the process so that they can do it more efficiently than has been the case so far in some of the chapters. To this end, they have charged their representatives to meet this week, and they are meeting every day this week, tomorrow, on Thursday and Friday to prepare the necessary documentation and to advise on how best to address the economic chapter. The leaders themselves will meet on the 5th May. They are not meeting next week because both Special Adviser Downer and I will be in New York for internal meetings at the Secretariat. I will return in time for the next meeting on the 5th May.

Question: Sir, do you envisage any problems arising after the results of the elections in the north?

Answer: Problems for the peace process? Not really.

Question: Is Mr. Talat remaining the negotiator?

Answer: Indeed Mr. Talat is the leader of the delegation, the acknowledged leader of the delegation. We do not anticipate any problems.

Question: Will there be someone from Mr. Eroglu’s party attending next time?

Answer: Frankly, my guess is as good as yours on this.

Question: Sir is there a reason why today’s meeting was so short?

Answer: Well, as I said they opted to look at the organisational matters. As you know, on the economy much like the chapter on European Union there was quite a lot of convergence. So they wanted to rationalise the process and discussed how they could do that. The representatives, as I said, will meet for the following three consecutive days to prepare to do that.

Question: Did they talk about the consequences of the UBP victory?

Answer: Not in the open meeting. I would imagine they may have done that in the tête-à-tête.

UNFICYP

[paliometoxo]

they dont seemt o care about the cy problem

[Viewpoint]

Thats how it is when you have no time tables or time limits they could meet another 555 times and nothing will emerge. This of course is another GC demand.

[paliometoxo]

another gc demand? north side of cyprus is making nothing but demands and refuses to give anything back not willling to show any good will not willing to budge over sinmple things its all turkish way or nothing at all

[Viewpoint]

another gc demand? north side of cyprus is making nothing but demands and refuses to give anything back not willling to show any good will not willing to budge over sinmple things its all turkish way or nothing at all

The lack of progress is down to the GC demand for not timetable or time limits.

[Raymanoff]

I so don't care about this anymore... i shall be posting recipes in any "Cyprus Problem" topic...because thats not my problem, that's "Turkish Problem"... so expect some really good delicious stuff coming up.

[Viewpoint]

I so don't care about this anymore... i shall be posting recipes in any "Cyprus Problem" topic...because thats not my problem, that's "Turkish Problem"... so expect some really good delicious stuff coming up.

You have to face the reality facing you in the face that you cannot have it all your own way, you have to share and with the world backing a BBF you have no choice but to play ball otherwise gradual recogntion will come.

[halil]

Talat: “Talks on the Economy Chapter Should be Short”


TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat stated that it will mostly be the experts who will work on the economy chapter and stated that talks on this chapter should be short.

On his arrival to the Presidential Palace following yesterday meeting with Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias, President Talat said that the next meeting will take place on 5 May.

Talat stated that yesterday, they made a general evaluation on how they will take up the “economy” chapter. Talat underlined that the economy chapter is very detailed and therefore, requires expertise. Talat said the representatives will be working on the issue this week. Talat stated that the representatives will work on the document produced by the working group on economic matters and put it in a format desired by the leaders.

“I am hoping that we will have a finalised document in the next meeting of the leaders,” Talat said. “We will then try and overcome the differences following work by the experts.”

Responding to a question, Talat stated that talks on the economy chapter, which has a minimal political aspect, and which requires expertise, should be short.

In response to another question, Talat stated that they briefly talked about the election results in the TRNC during the tête-à-tête meeting. Talat underlined that, as the President, he is carrying out the negotiations and added that the election results will not affect the negotiations, or that they will have a minimal effect.

The President, in response to another question, talked about the implementation of the decisions of technical committees. Talat stated that a joint office will be set up in the buffer zone to deal with criminal matters. He said that the office will serve like an information office and added that the two sides will exchange information on criminal matters through this office.

President Talat noted that the problem regarding the crossing of the ambulances will soon be resolved.

Responding to another question, President Talat stated that Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt will be visiting Cyprus soon. Talat underlined that this visit is very important.

[halil]

Following their first meeting which took place yesterday, two aides Ozdil Nami and Yorgos Yakovu and experts continued their discussions this afternoon.
According to the information obtained from President Mehmet Ali Talat’s Special Representative Ozdil Nami during today’s meeting which lasted around 3 hours the economy chapter was divided into six different subtitles and discussions were finished on two of them.

Mr. Nami also said that he will again come together with Greek Cypriot leader’s Special Representative Yorgos Yakovu on the 30th of April, Thursday to continue their work on this chapter.

He also added that on the 28th of April, Tuesday the experts will come together to continue their works on the economy chapter.
Meanwhile, before the 5th of May, on the 30th of April all eyes will turn to New York when the United Nations which is hosting the negotiations will discuss the latest stage being reached so far.

UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer and the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Cyprus Taye Brook will also attend the internal meeting at the Secretariat.
Mr. Downer is also expected to brief the 5 permanent member of the UN Security Council about the ongoing negotiations process.

[DT.]

Responding to another question, President Talat stated that Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt will be visiting Cyprus soon. Talat underlined that this visit is very important.

Halil, has Talat taken over from Stephanou as the ROC govt spokesman? Why is he announcing the official visits to the island for the govt of Cyprus?

Cyprus: Visit of the Swedish Foreign Minister to Cyprus

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Mr Carl Bildt, will pay a visit to Cyprus on April 23-24, upon invitation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Markos Kyprianou. During his visit, the Swedish Foreign Minister will have talks with his Cypriot counterpart, in view of the Swedish Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2009. Mr Bildt will also be received by the President of the Republic, Mr Demetris Christofias.

Furthermore, the Swedish Foreign Ministry issued yesterday the following press release regarding Mr Bildt's visit to Cyprus:

“On Thursday 23 April, Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will travel to Cyprus to discuss the Cyprus issue and other matters with Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Kyprianou. He will also meet President Demetris Christofias, Chief Negotiator George Iacovou and UN negotiator Taye Brook Zerihoun. Mr Bildt will also open the exhibition on Swedes serving in the UN forces on Cyprus.”