Discussion of property issue continues at UN-backed Cyprus talks

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders pressed ahead on Friday with their efforts to try to resolve the property issue as United Nations-backed talks aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island of Cyprus continued in Nicosia.

“I think it was a good meeting, it was held in a good atmosphere and they have a quite clear work programme,” the Secretary-General's Special Adviser, Alexander Downer, told reporters after the talks wrapped up.

The talks began in 2008 after the then-leaders of the two communities committed themselves to working towards a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions.

The property aspect of the talks tries to resolve numerous complex claims between the two sides on property seized decades ago.

“You don't have to be a great expert on the property issue to understand that it is a difficult and a complex issue and it affects a lot of people. So, there are things that need to be worked through.

“There are proposals that are being put forward by the two sides, and ultimately the challenge here is make sure they all merge into one plan,” he stated.

Mr. Downer said the representatives of the both sides and the teams that deal specifically with the property issue will meet next Thursday and Friday to “concretize the main aspects of the property issue with an aim to identifying convergences.” They will then report back to the leaders in early October.