UN hails good will for new talks

THERE appears to be good will on both sides for a resolution to the Cyprus problem, the UN Secretary-general’s Special Representative in Cyprus said yesterday.

Michael Moller, who was speaking after a reception held by President Demetris Christofias yesterday afternoon, had earlier met with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. He will meet Christofias on Monday, in his bid to arrange a meeting between the two communities’ leaders “as soon as possible”.

Moller explained that he couldn’t yet announce a date for the meeting, but expressed hope that he will “be able to come up with something more concrete”, after his meeting with Christofias.

He confirmed discussing the opening of the Ledra Street checkpoint with Talat and said he would be broaching the subject with Christofias on Monday.

“Mr Talat is quite ready to open it [Ledra Street] and I hope Mr Christofias is as well. So with a bit of luck we will finally manage,” said Moller, adding that the date of the opening of the crossing point is up to the two leaders.

“The sooner the better as far as I am concerned,” he said.

Moller did not comment on a letter Talat sent to UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, noting that both Christofias and Talat had already commented on the issue.

British High Commissioner Peter Millett also said that “the sooner we can get the two leaders meeting face to face the better”.

“I hope that can happen very soon,” he concluded.
On his part, Chinese Ambassador in Cyprus Zhao Yali expressed hope that efforts for a settlement were fruitful.

“We hope that the contacts between the two leaders commence and we hope for the best for this process,” Zhao added

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