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Cyprus, Cyprus Problem, dervis eroglu, New York, President Demetris Christofias, talks

AS THE UN and the EU were yesterday expressing hope for the New York talks, President Demetris Christofias was telling Turkish Cypriots in London that a breakthrough would take a miracle.

Speaking at an event organised in by the Turkish Democratic Association, Christofias was openly pessimistic ahead of the meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and UN chief Ban Ki-moon in Greentree New York on Monday and Tuesday.

He said serious differences between the two sides persisted and no real negotiations were taking place. “We don’t negotiate in fact,” Christofias said. “I don’t believe in miracles but anyway, maybe a miracle will happen at Greentree Two … I hope so.” 

He reiterated that Eroglu had reneged on his pledge to continue the talks from the point they were left off with former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and that the basis of the solution would be UN resolutions on Cyprus.

Upon arrival at New York later, Christofias said there was no chance of the Greek Cypriot side agreeing to an international conference without prior agreement on the basic aspects of the Cyprus problem.

Christofias rejected Turkish Cypriot charges that Greek Cypriots were stalling, adding that the way will open if the Turkish side showed good will and honoured what had been agreed with Talat.

The UN Secretary-General will be meeting with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on Monday and Tuesday. 

It is the second meeting between the two leaders and the UN chief at Greentree.

The previous summit took place late last year.

In a statement issued last night, the UN said Ban looked forward to a productive meeting and concrete progress.

“The Secretary-General will host a joint meeting with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities on 23-24 January at the Greentree Estate in Long Island, New York. This is fifth time that the Secretary-General is meeting with Mr. Christofias and Mr. Eroglu in the framework of the Cyprus negotiations”, the spokesperson said. 

“The United Nations is providing all possible support to these Cypriot-led negotiations. The Secretary-General looks forward to a productive meeting and concrete progress,” the spokesperson added.

Ban has conveyed his expectations to the leaders for a resolution of the  issue. 

“He believes that with political will and firm commitment the two leaders can and should reach a much-needed settlement on Cyprus”, the spokesperson concluded.

Earlier yesterday, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso called on the two Cypriot leaders to show the necessary political will and use the opportunity at the forthcoming Greentree meeting for the reunification of Cyprus.

Barroso welcomed the initiative of the UN Secretary General to convene the New York meeting.

He said the meeting with the Secretary-General offered both leaders the opportunity, to show the necessary political will, vision and determination and use the unique opportunity for the reunification of Cyprus. 

“I share the assessment of the Secretary-General that a window of opportunity currently exists and that an agreement is possible,” Barroso said.

He further said that the two leaders and the United Nations could continue to count on the European Commission's full support.

“All Cypriots, the European Union and the entire region will benefit from a united Cyprus,” Barroso said.