halil wrote:“SERIOUS DIFFERENCES ON PROPERTY”
TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that the most serious difference of opinion between the two sides in Cyprus is over the issue of property.
The President was speaking at a special gathering in Famagusta last night where he briefed a group of businessmen on course of the Cyprus negotiation process. Talat explained that the Greek Cypriot Side had rejected proposals brought to the table by the Turkish Side on issues concerning the topic of “Governance and Power Sharing” but he expressed the hope that serious progress would be achieved at the end of the second round of intensive talks on the topic.
The President said that no conclusion was reached on the issues of transition periods and the citizenship rights of TRNC citizens of Turkish origin, adding that any progress on these issues would be an important step towards bringing a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus question.
Pointing out that “property” is one of the issues over which the two sides have serious difference of opinion, Mr Talat underlined the need to achieve progress on this topic in the new round.
The President pointed out that the Turkish Side has been insisting that the property issue could only be solved through exchange, compensation and restitution, adding that the Greek Cypriot Side has been opposing this idea.
He said that one of the main reasons behind non-solution of the Cyprus problem was the failure to start the intensive talks at an earlier date.
Referring to the UN Chief’s visit to Cyprus, the President described it as very important and expressed the hope that an important step would be taken towards peace thanks to the visit.
Recent developments show that mr talat and Turkey have serious differences on property with the entire world not just the GC's.
