Cyprus leaders hold another round of UN-backed talks

Immigration, citizenship and asylum were again among the key topics of discussion today when Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders held their latest round of United Nations-backed talks on the possible reunification of the Mediterranean island.

Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat held a 90-minute tête-à-tête in Nicosia and then resumed discussions on immigration, asylum and related issues, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative Tayé-Brook Zerihoun told journalists.

The two leaders agreed to meet again on 6 August, when they will conclude their deliberations on these topics. Next week they will also discuss the schedule and programme for the resumption of the talks in early September after a break over the August holiday period.

Today’s discussions were only the latest round of UN-backed talks between the two leaders aimed at reunifying the island of Cyprus.

In May 2008, Mr. Christofias and Mr. Talat committed themselves to working towards “a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions.”

The partnership would comprise a Federal Government with a single international personality, along with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which would be of equal status.