Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-01-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] UNSG - LEADERS - GENEVA MEETING

[01] UNSG - LEADERS - GENEVA MEETING

According to reports, the two leaders are participating with their aides George Iacovou and Kutlu Ozersay and present are Ban, his Special Advisor on Cyprus Alexander Downer, Special Representative of the UNSG in Cyprus Liza Buttenheim and Director for the Americas and Europe Division at the Department of Political Affairs of the UN Secretariat and former Acting Special Representative of the UNSG in Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar.

At 1230 local time, the talks will continue during a working lunch and at 1415 the UNSG will make a statement at the end of the meeting, as he did in New York in November.

Arriving at the UN offices in Geneva, Downer said he ``had a dream of a reunited Cyprus``. He was accompanied by Special Representative of the UNSG in Cyprus Liza Buttenheim and Director for the Americas and Europe Division at the Department of Political Affairs of the UN Secretariat and former Acting Special Representative of the UNSG in Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar.

Shortly afterwards, President Christofias arrived at the UN offices. Invited to comment on Downers statement, he said, We have been dreaming of a reunited Cyprus for 36 years.

President Christofias is accompanied by Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou and his negotiating team.

The leader of the Turkish Cypriots, Dervis Eroglu and his negotiating team arrived at the meeting place some minutes later.

Downer told reporters yesterday in Geneva that he hopes that the meeting of the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus with the SG Ban Ki-moon will be useful and that it will make a useful contribution to the continuation of the Cyprus process, aiming at reaching a solution of the Cyprus problem.

The Republic of Cyprus, which became a full EU member state in May 2004, is divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and since then occupy 37% of Cyprus territory. UN - led Cyprus talks are underway between President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu with a view to reunify the country.

The UNSG has invited both leaders at a meeting in Geneva on the 26th of January to review progress made so far at the Cyprus talks and decide on the next steps.

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