Cyprus parties continue talks in Nicosia – UN

Talks continued in Cyprus today on a plan by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to reunify the island nation before its entry into the European Union on 1 May.

As scheduled, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, and the Greek Cypriot leader, Tassos Papadopoulos, met in Nicosia in the presence of the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser, Alvaro de Soto, according to UN spokesman Fred Eckhard. One of the technical committees also met separately.

He added that the next meeting of the two leaders is scheduled for Tuesday morning, as Monday is a local holiday.

Last week the two leaders agreed to continue negotiations until 22 March on the basis of Mr. Annan's plan. If an agreement on modifications to the plan can be reached, then the entire proposal will be submitted to separate referenda in April for approval by the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots.