THE TWO leaders yesterday exchanged proposals on the complex issue of property, passing them on to their respective negotiating teams to examine further until omorrow’s meeting.
UN Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer said yesterday’s meeting was an “example of both sides continuing to work hard to try to build convergences”.
Both teams will discuss among themselves the “reasonably complex proposals” after which the UN’s team of property experts will then consult with both sides separately today ahead of tomorrow’s meeting between the two leaders.
Regarding the series of proposals tabled yesterday, Downer sounded cautiously optimistic, saying: “There is quite a lot to think about here and to work through.
I think some convergences can be built actually, myself, I think that’s possible.” The Australian diplomat informed journalists that he will brief the UN Security Council today in an informal session – via video link – on how the talks are going and deal with any issues Security Council members may wish to raise.
“I want to keep the Security Council informed so that they understand how we are getting on in the talks, what the diffi culties are, what the problems are, and where the progress is being made,” he said.
“Ultimately, the Security Council wants to know whether it’s possible for the two sides to fulfi l what the ecurity Council requires of them, which is to negotiate successfully a bizonal, bicommunal federation,” he said, adding, “It should be an interesting discussion with them”. Downer also referred to the meeting he had with the Greek Foreign Minister on Monday, where they discussed the Cyprus problem and broader regional issues. “Obviously, it really is important to us from time to time to meet with the guarantor powers, and particularly with the Turks and the Greeks,” he said.
Asked why President Demetris Christofi as left the UN-controlled Nicosia airport early, the UN diplomat said he simply skipped lunch, “going off to get a sandwich” while his negotiating team stayed behind to eat with UN offi cials and their Turkish Cypriot counterparts. Speaking on his return from the meeting, Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu said the two sides would try to complete the property chapter during tomorrow’s meeting. Responding to press reports, Eroglu maintained that the issue of refugees returning to Kyrenia had never been discussed with Christofias.
He added that Christofi as did not stay for lunch for “personal reasons”.
In the latest phase of the more intensifi ed negotiations, the two sides have begun discussing the issues of property and territory in tandem for the fi rst time though actual details and maps will not be brought to the table until near the end of the entire process.
