Governance tops UN-backed talks between Cypriot leaders

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders met today to continue discussions on governance, focusing on the executive, as part of ongoing United Nations-backed talks to unify the Mediterranean island, the world body said today.

Speaking to the press after the meeting in Nicosia, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative Tayé-Brook Zerihoun said Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat also discussed other aspects related to governance.

“The atmosphere was good. They will continue their discussions tomorrow and hopefully move ahead on these issues,” said Mr. Zerihoun, who also heads the UN peacekeeping force, known as UNFICYP, which has been deployed since 1964 to prevent inter-communal fighting on the island.

He added that tomorrow the “much awaited” planting of olive trees will take place, as well as an event featuring civil society representatives from both communities who will be expressing their solidarity and support for the talks.

In May last year, 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.