Statements by the President of the Republic after his meeting with Mr Talat: The President of the Republic Mr Demetris Christofias made the following statement on Friday, on his return to the Presidential Palace after his meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, in the framework of the direct talks:
“Today, I am pleased to say that the meeting was not only friendly but also brought a result. We are very close to agreeing on issues that concern the deadlock resolving mechanisms for the legislative and the judiciary; also a good step forward was made on the issue of hierarchy in the Laws. The aides Mr Nami and Mr Iacovou will meet next week to conclude the work that they have already started, namely to evaluate and to record the overall results on the issue of governance and the experts Mr Mavrommatis and Mr Toumazos Tsielepis as well as two from the Turkish Cypriot side will meet to wrap up the issue that remains or to bring a proposal for its conclusion. The next meeting of the two leaders, as Mr Downer already announced, will be on the 28th of the month when we will start the discussion on the next chapter which is the property issue”. Asked what obstructs the conclusion of the agreement, Mr Christofias said: “nothing obstructs it. In response to our proposal, the Turkish Cypriot delegation today presented its own text, which we have to study carefully. As I have said, we are very close and what remains is for the experts to reach a common proposal on the wording. There is no obstacle”. Invited to say if he considers correct the view that the property chapter is the most crucial, President Christofias said: “I do not wish to make such statements. All chapters are crucial. Imagine if we had an agreement on the property chapter and we did not agree on the essence of the federation. What is the difference in the end? So, both sides have to rely on the basis of what has been agreed and to discuss matters in a creative manner. This, at least, is the effort in order to have results”.
