The Cyprus negotiation process started this morning at 10:00 at the UN controlled Lefkosa International Airport.

Meetings, which will be carried out between the leaders of the two sides under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, will include TRNC President Rauf Denktas, Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Serdar Denktas. Today (February 19), the Turkish and Greek Cypriot technical committees will also start their studies at the UN controlled Lefkosa International Airport.

TRNC President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader, Tassos Papadopoulos, will meet with EU Enlargement Commissioner, Gunter Verheughen.

Explaining that during his meeting with the EU Enlargement Commissioner, he would discuss the issue of derogations, President Denktas said the aim of the Turkish Cypriot side was to get EU approval for their request that the final agreement to be reached at the end of the negotiations should become primary law within EU norms. Prime Minister, Mehmet Ali Talat, will also be present during the meeting.

Meanwhile, a briefing was given yesterday (February 18) evening at the President’s Office to all the Turkish Cypriot members who have been selected to work on the technical committees.

TRNC Prime Minister, Mehmet Ali Talat, stated that the Turkish Cypriot side was determined to settle the Cyprus issue by 1 May 2004.

Speaking before his meeting with the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister, Louis Michel, yesterday (February 18), Prime Minister Talat, pointing out that this was a historical moment, stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side was very determined to settle the Cyprus issue and become an EU member as a new Cyprus. He said: "This is very important for us. A large majority of Turkish Cypriots are in favour of a settlement and EU membership. We will do everything that we can to achieve this aim".

Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot side was ready for the negotiations, the Prime Minister said he believed that with the help of the international community, especially technical assistance from the EU, a positive outcome would be achieved.

Meanwhile, in his meeting with Michel Klosson, the US Ambassador to South Cyprus, Prime Minister Talat expressing his pleasure that the negotiations had started said, this was a difficult period, there was a lot to do but, this time it looked as if the process would be successful.