He had meetings with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

 

Speaking to reporters on his talks, Talat said he had informed Barroso on the negotiation process in Cyprus and reminded him of EU's commitments. Talat quoted Barroso as saying that he would do his best on the issue.

 

Talat said he also held fruitful talks in Ankara, noting that Erdogan and he had discussed Cyprus issue, isolations and economy in their meeting.

 

Talat said when he was visiting Ankara, UN Secretary General Ban called him. Ban expressed his views on intensified talks on Cyprus that would start on January 11 and mentioned UN's expectations regarding the process during phone conversation, Talat said.

 

TRNC President Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias will hold six intensified meetings as of January 11. They will meet for three days as of January 11, and then meet again on January 25 and hold negotiations for three consecutive days.

 

08 January 2010, Friday

 

THE ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY  LEFKOŞA