Talks to start in September

Full-fledged negotiations on Cyprus will start on 3 September 2008, under the good offices mission of the United Nations Secretary-General, the leaders of the two communities on the island announced today.

The aim of the full-fledged negotiations is to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem, which will safeguard the fundamental and legitimate rights and interests of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. The agreed solution will be put to separate simultaneous referenda, they said.

In a statement read out by the UN representative in Cyprus, the leaders undertook the final review of the work of the working groups and technical committees, noted the results achieved and commended their members for all their efforts. They approved sixteen more measures in the areas of environment, cultural heritage, crisis management, crime and criminal matters and gave instructions for their immediate and full implementation. As a reflection of their heightened engagement, the leaders have agreed to establish a secure hotline to facilitate direct contact between them. They welcomed the appointment of Mr. Alexander Downer as the Secretary-General΄s Special Adviser for Cyprus, and look forward to working with him and the UN team in the coming period. They also instructed their representatives to take up the issue of Limnitis/Yeşilirmak and other crossings.

Yesterday Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat said that he believed a settlement could be reached on the Cyprus issue by the end of 2008. In an exclusive interview with Ankara Anatolia news agency, he said he felt optimistic about the latest process initiated in Cyprus by himself and Christofias."Our target is to reach a solution shortly. I am not talking about a process that will take months or years. I think this can be achieved by the end of 2008," Talat said.