President Christofias announced that he is going to visit Greece in the intervening week between the intensive talks that are planned for 11-13 January and for 25-27 January.

After his meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat on Monday, Mr Christofias said he will visit Greece to talk with the Greek Government on the developments regarding the Cyprus issue.

The President pointed out that last week’s decision to defer the second week of the intensive talks one week later, will provide more time for the two leaders to consider their respective positions that will be tabled in the first three days.

According to a joint statement by the Greek Cypriot President and the Turkish-Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, “In these meetings, the leaders will strive towards more convergence on governance and power-sharing, the economy and EU matters. They also will continue their discussions on the property issue.”

The leaders’ advisers held a series of meetings last week in preparation for the meetings starting today between the two leaders.

Asked if the upcoming talks will end after the second week, the President said that it was not specified and that it depends on progress made.

Christofias noted that there is no goal of reaching a settlement before April elections in the northern, Turkish-occupied area of Cyprus, and that talks will continue after the “so-called elections” with whoever becomes leader of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Christofias rejected any notion of an interim settlement, noting that there is no such prospect.