AWE wrote:why are there so few GCs commenting on this thread?
Have a look what Cyprus mail says from the Southern Part of the island.
Talks resume with message from Ban
THE UNITED Nations yesterday said it believed a solution to the Cyprus problem could be found in the coming months with give and take from both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides.
“Your communities want and expect a settlement. I truly believe that you can reach an agreement in the coming months,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said in a statement to the leaders of the two communities.
President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu resumed negotiations yesterday after a two-month break due to elections in the Turkish-occupied north of the island.
It was their first tete-a-tete at the negotiating table, after Eroglu’s election in April, although they had a ‘breaking the ice’ dinner in the buffer zone on Tuesday night.
Since his election, Eroglu has sought to shake-off his hardline image by assuring that he will continue the talks where they left off under his predecessor Mehmet Ali Talat.
Ban said achieving an agreement would need vision, statesmanship and courage.
“This will require give and take on both sides, and the ability to understand the issues and what is at stake from the perspective of the other side,” the UN chief said. “This is not a zero-sum game. It is possible and indeed necessary to arrive at a solution that clearly benefits both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. A settlement is within your grasp and this opportunity must be seized, as time is not on your side.”
The first official meeting between the two leaders was held in a warm and positive environment, the UN said.
With the help of translators, Christofias and Eroglu made introductory remarks to each other and then kicked-off discussion of the thorny property chapter.
UN special adviser Alexander Downer said the two men confirmed existing convergences but no other chapter was discussed beyond property.
The convergences between the two sides had been achieved in some 70 meetings between Christofias and Talat in 18 months.
Most concern the chapters of governance, power-sharing and European affairs.
The two leaders will meet again next Thursday morning.
Their representatives, George Iacovou and Kudret Ozersay will meet on Monday afternoon to prepare the ground.
The reference to a time frame was certain to prompt reaction from the Greek Cypriot side, which vehemently opposes the imposition of tight schedules.
House President Marios Garoyian said Downer was “paid to advertise or was trying to relay this message.”
Garoyian, the chairman of government partners DIKO, said Downer ought to tell Turkey that her proposals were outside the UN principles instead of trying to create a “phoney climate.”
By George Psyllides Published on May 27, 2010
Eagle Garoyian !!!!!!!!!!!
