LEFKOSA - Taye-Brook Zerihoun, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General's special representative to Cyprus and head of UN mission in the island, said Friday that the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias had decided to begin comprehensive negotiations on September 3rd, 2008.
Reading a joint declaration, Zerihoun said that Talat and Christofias reviewed the efforts of working groups and technical committees for the last time.
The two leaders noted the conclusions the groups and committees reached and expressed appreciation for the efforts of the members of the groups and committees, Zerihoun said.
After having made last evaluations, the two leaders decided to begin comprehensive negotiations, within the good will mission of the UN Secretary General, on September 3rd, Zerihoun said.
The goal of the comprehensive negotiations has been determined as one that would be accepted by the two sides and that would secure legal basic rights and interests of both the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. It was decided that the solution reached would be subject to referenda in the two sides simultaneously, Zerihoun said.
The two leaders reached an agreement on 16 more precautions in the areas of environment, cultural heritage, crisis management, crime and punishment within the framework of the technical committees and gave orders to implement these precautions immediately. The two leaders also decided to establish a red line in order to facilitate direct contact between them, Zerihoun said.
The two leaders expressed pleasure over the appointment of Alexander Downer as the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser in Cyprus and declared their will to continue working with the UN team and Downer. The two leaders gave orders to their representatives to handle the matters of Yesilirmak gate and other points of passage in the island, Zerihoun also said.
(SOL-MS)
(DIP)