LEFKOSA - United Nations special envoy for Cyprus Alexander Downer said on Tuesday that he was encouraged by what he heard after he met President Mehmet Ali Talat of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias in Lefkosa.
Speaking at a news conference held in Ledra Palace Hotel in the buffer zone, Downer said the leaders did not set a negotiation timetable however that the process should progress in a constructive way. He said the talks would start in Cyprus on September 3rd.
Downer said he was delighted on a personal level to have been asked by the UN SG to become his special adviser on Cyprus. "This decision to appoint a special adviser reflects high level of commitment of the Secretary General to assist Cyprus," he said.
Downer said he paid courtesy calls on both leaders in Cyprus to hear of their assessments on the process, noting that he was welcomed warmly and the meetings went very well.
Downer said he observed that both Cypriot leaders were sincere in their commitments and in their engagement to move forward together towards a comprehensive settlement.
Downer will depart from the island on Wednesday morning.
(AY)
(GEN)