Cyprus talks to review progress, Secretary-General says

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said his planned talks in New York on Thursday with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders should provide an opportunity to review what has been achieved so far.

Asked by reporters about the scheduled meetings with His Excellency Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot, and His Excellency Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Annan voiced hope that both would discuss honestly what efforts have been made to secure progress in the talks.

"When I met with them in May, there were indications that we should be able to make progress by the end of the year," he said. "The end of the year is around the corner, so I want to review with them how we get there."