TALAT-PAPDOPOLOUS MEETING
President Mehmet Ali Talat and the leader of the Greek
Cypriot Administration Tassos Papadopulos have agreed on the
need for the earliest start of a new process towards
bringing about a solution to the Cyprus problem.
The agreement was announced last night at the end of a three
hour long meeting between the two leaders who met for the
first time in over a year. It took place at the residence of
the UN Chief’s Special Representative to Cyprus Michael
Moller in the UN-controlled buffer zone in Lefkosa.
No agenda was set for the meeting, which was the first since
the 8th July 2006, when the two leaders were brought
together by the former UN Undersecretary General for
Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari during a visit to the
island.
Reading out a short statement at the end of the meeting, Mr
Moller said that the two leaders agreed on the need for the
earliest start of a new process and discussed other issues
leading to a comprehensive settlement.
Mr Moller said that the meeting was held in a constructive
atmosphere and that the two leaders agreed to continue their
contacts through the United Nations and to meet again when
appropriate.
PRESIDENT TALAT “WE PROPOSED ADJUSTMENT AND SPEEDING UP THE
8 JULY PROCESS… WE PROPOSED TO START SUBSTANTIVE
NEGOTIATIONS AFTER 2-2.5 MONTHS PREPARATORY WORK, WITH A
DEADLINE OF THE END OF THE 2008 FOR COMPREHENSIVE
SETTLEMENT GOAL. HOWEVER, NOT ACCEPTED”
President Talat evaluating his meeting with Greek Cypriot
leader Tassos Papadopoulos last night in a press
conference at the TRNC Presidential Place, said: “we
proposed adjustment and speeding up the 8 July process… we
proposed to start substantive negotiations after 2-2.5
months preparatory work, with a deadline of the end of the
2008 for comprehensive settlement goal, however, not
accepted”
Talat added: “ We proposed an accelerated preparatory
process for an urgent solution, unfortunately our proposal
was refused”
President Talat said they agreed to continue contact trough
the UN and if progress was reached they would meet with
Papodopolous, however no time limit was set for this.
President explained that the Greek Cypriot leader
Papadopolous had the understanding that several committees
should be formed and the Cyprus issue be referred to that
committees. However, it was ambiguous how long this time
period continue, whether 14 months, 14 year or 140 year.
President Talat stating that even one of the committees
envisaged by the 8 July process was not formed said “this
means there is something wrong. We made a proposal to change
this within the 8 July process framework .”
He said “in addition to four main subjects of the Cyprus
issue we added the EU issue as the 5th subject
and proposed to form committees on these 5 main topics.”
President Talat said he had raised the issue of time tables
because the time was working against a solution, where
there was a need to speed up the 8 July process and move
forward towards a comprehensive settlement.
President Talat said the Greek Cypriot side had proposed to
start the 8 July process by forming several committees,
however this would mean to go back, where it was 14 months
ago… “Our proposal to speed up the process within time
limits was not accepted by the Greek Cypriot side” he said .
Responding to reporters’ questions President Talat pointing
out that during the three hours long meeting they also
discussed the issues of oil exploration and isolation
imposed on Turkish Cypriots, said they have not discussed
the content of the Cyprus issue or the details. “Therefore
I can not say whether there are mountains, seas or oceans
between us” President added.
President Talat emphasized that he got the impression that
the Greek Cypriot side was not seeking to or compromised
to resume substantive negotiations as much as the Turkish
side.
President Talat said: “we wanted to start a process that
would be to the interest of both Turkish Cypriots and the
Greek Cypriots… If we receive an invitation to start
substantive negotiations tomorrow we are ready.
