Eroglu seeks solution timetable in New York

TURKISH Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has asked UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for a timetable on the Cyprus talks with a view to concluding negotiations by the end of the year, reports from New York said yesterday.

According to the CyBC last night, Eroglu made the request during a half-hour meeting yesterday with Ban at the UN headquarters.

The Turkish Cypriot leader also reiterated to the UN chief the need for an end to the ‘embargo’ on the north of the island.

Speaking via a translator at a press conference after the meeting, Eroglu said he “shared” the UN chief’s desire for a solution by the end of 2010.

“The need to move forward toward a settlement must be stated more explicitly,” Eroglu told reporters, adding that talks on Cyprus cannot be allowed to drag on forever.

He said he told Ban that the Turkish Cypriot side had always displayed political will for a solution, adding that all the parties, particularly the Greek Cypriots, ought to take advantage of the present opportunity.

Asked why, if he were in hurry, he did not come forward with constructive proposals in the ongoing talks, Eroglu said that the territory and property chapters had not yet been discussed in earnest.

“In any case, we won’t reach a solution by agreeing to everything Mr Christofias brings to the table,” Eroglu added, according to the same report.

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