UN chief meets with President of Cyprus

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon the President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, today to discuss the UN-sponsored talks on preparations for the resumption of negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.

On the sidelines of the high-level General Assembly debate due to start tomorrow, Mr. Ban and President Nicos Anastasiades, who is also the leader of the Greek Cypriot community, discussed preparations for the resumption of negotiations between the communities.

The two officials also discussed progress made in preparing the ground for the resumption of talks, as well as outstanding challenges.

According to a readout of the meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Mr. Ban commended Mr. Anastasiades for his important efforts in addressing the economic and financial crisis in the Republic of Cyprus.

The UN has been facilitating talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leadership, with a view to the eventual establishment of a federal government with a single international personality, consisting of a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, each of equal status.

The UN has maintained a peacekeeping force on the island (UNFICYP) since 1964, when inter-communal fighting erupted.