Joint statement at end of talks possible

The leaders of the two communities met yesterday for what was probably their second to last meeting before the elections in the north. They are due to meet again on March 30.

Yesterday’s discussion focused on EU issues. UN special envoy Alexander Downer, when asked whether the two leaders would be issuing a joint statement at the end of the current scheduled round, said this would be discussed at the meeting on March 30.UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said last night he hoped there would be such a statement laying out what has been agreed so far.

“We hope that the two leaders can issue some sort of joint statement on the agreement they have made, that’s my sincere hope and I have asked Mr Downer to do his best effort to facilitate to make progress,” Ban said at a news conference.

Ban said that he had talked with Downer on the phone at the weekend. “I am not sure how much progress they are making, but during my visit I stressed to them the importance of making progress. It is again very encouraging that the Turkish Prime Minister has made a quite good statement which is also a good demonstration of the commitment of the Turkish government,” Ban added.

Speaking after the meeting President Christofias said the leaders would discuss the possibility of a joint statement. “I believe we are achieving something, we do not waste our time. If and when it is possible to announce something, we shall announce it.” He added that he and Talat were trying to accelerate the pace of the talks.

The property issue will be resolved at the negotiating table and not in the courts, President Christofias said yesterday, commenting on the European Court of Human Rights’ recent decision to recognise the property commission in the occupied north.

Christofias said that when the courts were taking decisions not in the interests of the Turkish side, including interstate and individual cases like the Orams, both sides in the talks had pointed out that “these issues cannot be solved at a legal level”.

“This is a procedure which I do not wish to undermine under any circumstances. However, the property issue and other aspects of the Cyprus question will be resolved at the negotiating table,” he added.

The president said it was up to the two leaders to decide in common what system will operate following a solution and what priorities will be given regarding the property issue.

“The court decision has political aspects which we have already examined. The property issue was examined during more than 18 meetings I have had with Mr Talat and we will continue this effort,” he added.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown last night urged all sides in Cyprus to show “huge courage” in the settlement negotiations, the Cyprus Mail reports.
“It will require bold leadership and a spirit of compromise,” Brown said after a meeting in London with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “but I believe that progress is being made. I applaud the leadership being shown by both leaders. But the parties must now maintain that momentum and turn the dream of peace into a reality for all the people of Cyprus.”

Brown also said he has long been a supports of Turkey’s EU accession. “I was able to confirm to the Prime Minister that my position remains as firm as ever. I have said that Europe will benefit from the cultural, the economic and political strengths that Turkey will bring to Europe’s top table and that the reform process led by the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Erdogan, will remove the remaining obstacles to accession negotiations and therefore I look forward to working with Turkey as a trusted European partner,” said Brown.

Erdogan said he and his British counterpart had discussed Cyprus among many issues. “We discussed what we can do to find the way towards a solution of the problem in Cyprus. And this was important because of the fact that the UK happens to be also one of the three guarantor countries when it comes to Cyprus,” the Turkish Prime Minister said.