Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-05-15

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] IACOVOU - BUFFER ZONE

[01] IACOVOU - BUFFER ZONE

He told the press that he raised the issue at a meeting with Special Representative of UN Secretary General in Cyprus, Taye Brook Zerihoun and Ozdil Nami adviser to the Turkish Cypriot leader, noting that the UN had assumed the responsibility and according to two UN Security Council resolutions the area of the buffer zone must be determined. The result must be put on a map and this is primarily a military job. We have already decided the team, which will represent us.

Iacovou expressed certainty that Zerihoun would forward the issue to the Turkish occupation army, stressing that it is a military issue as they are disengagement and military exercises in the area.

Iacovou noted that demilitarization zone around Ledra street, was discussed and agreed upon during the negotiations for the opening of the checkpoint. We will insist on this issue, he pointed out.

The Presidential Commissioner also said that during todays meeting the two sides briefed Zerihoun on the latest developments and reviewed work at the level of the Technical Committees and Working Groups. Iacovou said that the opening of other checkpoints was also raised and it will be further discussed at a future meeting between him and Nami.

We want to have a significant, substantial progress in all issues composing Cyprus problem. This is our aim and we will intensify our efforts so there will be substantial results to be used as the basis of the (direct) negotiations, when they start. Iacovou clarified that whether or nor direct negotiations will start in June, will be discussed at a meeting between the leaders of the two communities on May 23.

Six working groups and seven technical committees, set up in the context of the March 21 agreement between President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, are meeting to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations between the two leaders.

The leaders will meet again to review the work of the committees dealing with various aspects of the Cyprus problem, the results of which will be used to start negotiations under UN auspices leading to a settlement that will reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

Cyprus, an EU member state since May 2004, has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.

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