Negotiations on Cyprus are in "good shape," says Turkey

The Turkish UN ambassador said here on Thursday that negotiations aimed at finding a solution to the Cyprus problem are in good shape, with progress being made on both sides "in order to reach a comprehensive settlement on the basis of UN parameters."

Ertugrul Apakan, Turkey's permanent representative to the United Nations, made the remarks as he spoke to reporters at a press conference following the UN Security Council's closed-door consultations on the Cyprus issue.

Cyprus President and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias temporarily postponed reunification talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu earlier this month, after Eroglu had publicly stated that he was not bound over by UN statements.

The UN secretary-general's special adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, briefed the Security Council on Thursday on the work of his mission of good offices in facilitating the resumption of talks and on the progress of negotiations between both parties.

"The leaders are focusing very much on the issue of property at this time. This is by its nature a very complicated and a very difficult issue, but one that obviously needs to be resolved in the context of a comprehensive settlement," Downer said to reporters here.

Downer added that the Greek Cypriots were less explicit than their Turkish counterparts, in regards to setting a particular date for completing negotiations. However, he said that both sides hoped that 2010 would be "the year for a solution to the Cyprus problem."

Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders are set to meet on June 15 in order to continue negotiations on reunification, said Downer.

"This process needs to maintain momentum. There needs to be continual, forward movement in the negotiations. The leaders need to be enthusiastic about meeting."

Source:Xinhua