Security was again the focus during the latest round of United Nations-backed talks today between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders as they try to reach a solution that will unify the Mediterranean island.
Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met in Nicosia for several hours on Friday, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, told journalists.
“Next week, the leaders will continue to discuss security and they will also discuss… governance and power-sharing, and in the context of governance and power-sharing they will discuss aliens, immigration, asylum and citizenship,” Mr. Downer said.
He said the leaders also briefly discussed the mechanics of an agreement for the opening of the Liminitis crossing.
The UN envoy on Cyprus pointed out that “the European Union is now ready to fund the preliminary study for the construction of the entire portion of the road inside and outside the buffer zone.”
He said it has been agreed that funding for the preliminary study will proceed, noting this “has to be done to make an assessment of the cost of the construction.”
On the departure of the two leaders, Talat handed to President Christofias a cluster of olive branches, which read the word ‘peace’ on behalf of a Turkish youth group in the Turkish occupied areas.