Iacovou in contacts ahead of talks

PRESIDENTIAL Commissioner George Iacovou has begun a round of contacts related to the upcoming meeting of the two leaders and for the opening of the Ledra Street crossing, he said yesterday.

Although no firm date has been fixed for the meeting between President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, it is expected to happen in the week of March 17 to 24.

Advance work for the meeting is being carried out by Iacovou, who said yesterday he had been in contact with outgoing UN Special Representative Michael Moller and did not rule out a meeting with him.

“We are also ready for a meeting next week with Mr Moller and Ozdil Nami,” said Iacovou. Nami is a senior aide to Talat.

Iacovou said he was positive with regard to the opening of Ledra Street, which will reportedly be one of the first items on the agenda of the Christofias Talat meeting.

Iacovou said, however, that the first meeting would be mainly a ‘get-to-know-you’ event.

Nami also said yesterday that a meeting between him and Iacovou was in the works for next week. He said he and the Greek Cypriot Commissioner would probably discuss the exact date of the talks along with other procedural issues related to the talks.

Greek and Turkish Cypriot shopkeepers have also met to discuss the opening of the crossing, which they hope will boost trade on both sides.
The two leaders have expressed the wish to open of the crossing point after the issue spent the last three years in limbo.

The UN sees it as a goodwill gesture from both sides that would get the ball rolling on new Cyprus negotiations.

There is also a possibility that a decision will be made on the opening of the Limnitis checkpoint and on other areas earmarked as possible new crossing points.

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