- Title: CYPRUS: UN Secretary General says encouraged by Cyprus leaders commitment
- Date: 2nd February 2010
- Summary: NICOSIA, CYPRUS (FEBRUARY 1, 2010) (REUTERS) ***CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI MOON ARRIVING AT PRESIDENTIAL PALACE AND MEETING WITH GREEK CYPRIOT PRESIDENT DEMETRIS CHRISTOFIAS THE TWO ENTER PRESIDENTIAL PALACE VARIOUS OF BAN AND CHRISTOFIAS SEATED HAVING TALKS BAN, CHRISTOFIAS AND TALAT AT NEWS CONFERENCE AT U.N. COMPOUND THE THREE SHAKING HANDS WITH EACH OTHER BAN SEATED FOR NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI MOON SAYING: "I'm encouraged that the two leaders personally assured me of their shared commitment for a comprehensive solution as early as possible, we will need even more courage and determination in the period ahead to bring these talks to a successful conclusion." CHRISTOFIAS SPEAKING AT PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) GREEK CYPRIOT PRESIDENT DEMETRIS CHRISTOFIAS SAYING: "We need the understanding of both sides. We are going to agree on a solution, taking into account the legitimate interests of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots." TALAT SPEAKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADER MEHMET ALI TALAT SAYING: "The time is not on the side of a solution, I always underline we need a quick solution. Until now we are negotiating one and half years, we achieved progress on some issues and it is a matter of fact we have differences also. But in general, from the point we started, we are now closer." CHRISTOFIAS AND BAN SHAKING HANDS TALAT AND BAN SHAKING HANDS LEADERS LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 17th February 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Cyprus
- Country: Cyprus
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA3T6QWB7WE4V1Q70BETNIBYPKB
- Story Text: U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on Monday (February 1) says leaders in Cyprus have pledged to work on reaching a peace deal as soon as possible to end decades of estrangment between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
"I'm encouraged that the two leaders personally assured me of their shared commitment for a comprehensive solution as early as possible," Ban told a news conference at a United Nations compound in Nicosia, the island's divided capital.
Flanked by Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, Ban said: " We will need even more courage and determination in the period ahead to bring these talks to a successful conclusion."
Countless attempts at mediating in the conflict have failed. Talat and Christofias started a new round of peace talks in September 2008.
Both leaders admitted there were still differences on issues but the talks were still moving forward. Christofias said in the final phase it would be the two sides alone who would have to make the final step.
"We need the understanding of both sides. We are going to agree on a solution, taking into account the legitimate interests of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots." he said.
"The time is not on the side of a solution," said Talat, referring to the time leaders have been negotiating, "I always underline we need a quick solution. Until now we are negotiating one and half years, we achieved progress on some issues, and it is a matter of fact we have differences also. But in general, from the point we started, we are now closer." he said.
Cyprus was split in a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief Greek inspired coup. The conflict is harming Turkey's bid in joining the European Union, where Greek Cypriots represent Cyprus in the bloc.
Diplomats are concerned chances of a deal could recede if Talat, viewed as a moderate, loses a leadership election in northern Cyprus -- a breakaway state recognised only by Ankara -- in April. A hardliner is leading most opinion polls.
Underscoring political sensitivities on the island, Greek Cypriots were riled when Ban visited Talat at his presidential office in northern Cyprus. Greek Cypriots do not accord any credence to the breakaway enclave and are sensitive to any move by foreign dignitaries which could be seen as tacit recognition. Four Greek Cypriot political parties said they would not attend a reception given by Ban on Monday evening.
The United Nations acts as a facilitator in talks, and last week announced "significant progress" on some aspects of how the two sides could share governing the island in a future two-zone federation.
Clinching some agreement on governance is key for the sides to proceed into other, thornier issues they need to resolve. In any settlement, leaders will have to juggle demands of thousands of people uprooted in past conflict, as well as resolve territorial disputes and the future of some 30,000 Turkish troops stationed in northern Cyprus. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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