Annan opens two days of consultations with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders

The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, today opened two days of consultations with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders.

The Secretary-General’s programme included separate meetings with His Excellency Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader; His Excellency Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader; a working luncheon and a further meeting in the afternoon.

Asked about the talks upon his arrival this morning at UN Headquarters, the Secretary-General told the press that he aimed to review progress achieved so far and to identify how to accelerate the process.

"We're going to try and do as much as we can to come to an understanding and bring the talks to closure, at least come to agreement on the core issues by the end of the year," he said. "That is the target. If we miss that, obviously, we will have to find ways of bringing it to closure beyond that date, but I hope we can do it before the end of the year."