Leaders engage in cross-process negotiations

Property, one of the most difficult issues of reunification talks, was not discussed during Friday’s leaders’ meeting, which focused on a series of other matters, President Nicos Anastasiades said.

“Discussion revolved around a series of other issues,” the president said after his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. “Property was not on our agenda today. We had said that the talks procedure would be a cross-process negotiation and this took place today.”

Anastasiades said it was a lengthy and “productive (meeting) but there is still a long way to go.”

He declined to go into detail, saying he would do so when the time was right.

“At this point we are at a stage of consultation; I must say, there is progress, but I repeat, there is also a long way to go.”

The two sides are currently engaged in a round of intensive negotiations, which will continue next month.

Anastasiades and Akinci will meet on Monday and then again on Wednesday thus concluding the intensive phase, which included six meetings.

Anastasides said the two sides will set the number of meetings for December on Monday.

“I have a busy schedule and Christmas is also coming and we will continue at this rate, the intensive rate, in a bid to exhaust all the issues and see what remains and how we proceed,” he said.

He reiterated that the desire was for a viable and functional solution that will unite the people and the institutions.

 

 

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