President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Mehmet Ali Talat, said special meetings with participation of guarantor countries, Turkey, Greece and Endland should be held in the later stages of discussion of "Security and Guarantees" chapter.

Talat told reporters following his meeting with Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias, that this was their position, and no joint decision was taken yet.

He said they closed the "Territory" chapter during today's meeting, adding that there were differences of approach between parties over this issue. He said they exchanged views on the issue and closed the chapter to be taken up again at a future date.

He said they would proceed talks with the "Security and Guarantees" chapter in their next meeting, on June 9 Thursday adding that the Turkish Cypriot side wanted to finish this chapter by the end of June.

Talat also said they exchanged views on how to reopen the Yesilırmak Border Gate, and assigned their representatives to deal with this issue. He said there were roads to be fixed in the buffer zone and other areas noting that a thorough preparation phase was required.

Earlier on Thursday, Talat and Christofias met at the buffer zone in Lefkosa and held a three-hour meeting with the participation of their representatives.

Speaking to reporters following the gathering, UN Secretary General's Special Representative to Cyprus Taye Brook Zerihoun said there would be a total of four meetings on July 9, 17, 23 and 30, adding that the ongoing talks would be recessed until September after the last meeting to be held on August 6.

After the break, the two leaders will get together again on September 3, 10, 17 and October 2, Zerihoun said.

Extensive talks

Cyprus talks, which were interrupted when Greek Cypriots rejected a United Nations (UN) plan (Annan plan for solution of the Cyprus issue) in the twin referendums held on April 24, 2004, resumed in September 11, 2008 following the victory of Demetris Christofias, AKEL chairman, in the presidential election held in Greek Cypriot part of the island.

Talat and Christofias have discussed management and share of power, property, European Union (EU) issues so far.

Cyprus issue

Cyprus joined the EU as a divided island when Greek Cypriots in the South rejected the UN reunification plan in twin referendums in 2004 even though the Turkish Cypriots in the north overwhelmingly supported it.

The promise made by EU foreign ministers before the referendums to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and establish direct trade with North Cyprus remains unfulfilled.

Gaining independence from the UK in 1960, Cyprus became a bi-communal Republic where Greek and Turkish Cypriot constituent communities would share power guaranteed by the UK, Turkey and Greece. However, reluctant to share power and pursuing a policy of Enosis (Union) with Greece, Greek Cypriots soon expelled Turkish Cypriots from power and terrorised and ghettoised them.

Decades long armed attacks on the defenseless Turkish Cypriots culminated in 1974 when an Athens-backed Greek Cypriot military coup on the island led to Turkey's military intervention. Although the Republic of Cyprus as described in the 1959 agreements is no longer there, Greek Cypriots continue to enjoy this title and international recognition while the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a fully democratic government representing Turkish Cypriots, still suffers under an unfair political and economic blockade.


AA

worldbulletin.net