Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-12-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] ZERIHOUN LEADERS MEETING

[02] FM UN REPORT

[01] ZERIHOUN LEADERS MEETING

He was speaking at the end of the 11th meeting of the two leaders, in the framework of the direct negotiations, which began early September, under UN auspices, with a view to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem.

The leaders had a good and friendly meeting, in a friendly atmosphere. They began with an hour of tete-a-tete and then they resumed the discussions on governance, focusing this time on the federal public service on which they identified a number of convergences, helped by bridging proposals from both sides, Zerihoun said.

The UN Special Representative said the two leaders have called on their representatives to meet and Iacovou and Nami will meet tomorrow afternoon to carry forward discussions on some aspects of governance which have been referred to them by the leaders.

We expect further meetings of the representatives before the leaders meet again on the 16th of December when they will take up the issue of external relations, Zerihoun said, adding that Special Adviser Alexander Downer will arrive on the island on the 11th December.

Asked when the chapter of property will be discussed, Zerihoun said we will have a better idea after the next meeting.

To a question if the chapter of governance will close with progress, Zerihoun replied they have made advances in the discussions; they have not agreed on every issue, they have left some issues aside to be revisited, they have asked their representatives to take up some of these issues.

The two leaders have been meeting since early September to find a mutually agreed solution that will reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

[02] FM UN REPORT

Commenting on the report, Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou said ``the government does not believe the report of the UN Secretary General on the renewal of UNFICYPs mandate contains any surprises.``

In statements at Larnaca airport before departing for Brussels to attend the informal dinner between NATO and EU Foreign Ministers, Kyprianou also said that ``some issues could have been worded in a different manner.`` He told reporters that the report is being examined by Foreign Ministry officials, adding there is an obvious effort by the Secretary-General to keep an equal distance and this is because we are engaged in talks.

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