Downer ‘more positive’ about the talks

UN SPECIAL Adviser Alexander Downer has returned from his weekend trip to Brussels “more positive” about the status of the peace talks after meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. 

Speaking outside the presidential palace yesterday, Downer said he briefed President Demetris Christofias on his meetings in Brussels, where he met with the foreign ministers of Britain, Greece and Turkey, as well as EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule.  

The Australian diplomat said he focused his briefing to the president on his discussions with Davutoglu, which he described as important. 

Asked whether his report to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the talks will be more positive or negative after Brussels, he said: “There is a potential for it to be more positive. I was happy with the meetings I had in Brussels I thought they went well and they were constructive in every single case.”

The special adviser said he received “quite a lot of messages” from Davutoglu, “and one of them was to send his very best wishes to Mr Christofias”. 

Downer will complete the report at the end of this week, following another leaders’ meeting tomorrow, based on which the UN chief will decide the next step in the talks. He will then travel to New York on April 19 to discuss the report with Ban. 

“Once we’ve done that the SG will talk with the two leaders further about the way ahead,” he said. 

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