Cyprus: UN envoy arrives for meetings with leaders as negotiations continue

A top United Nations envoy arrived today in Cyprus to prepare for a series of meetings this week with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders as part of broader UN-sponsored negotiations aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island.

Alexander Downer, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Cyprus, is scheduled to meet separately with Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat on Wednesday.

He will also host a meeting of the two leaders’ representatives today, UN spokesperson Michele Montas told journalists, and hold discussions and briefings with the diplomatic community and other officials.

In May, Mr. Christofias and Mr. Talat committed to a partnership that will comprise a Federal Government with a single international identity, along with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which will be of equal status.

The full-fledged negotiations between the leaders began in September with discussions on the issues of governance and power sharing.