Cypriot Leaders Meet At Buffer Zone For Comprehensive Settlement

LEFKOSA - Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders met at the buffer zone on Cyprus on Thursday.
President Mehmet Ali Talat of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias met at the buffer zone in Lefkosa to discuss economy.

This is the 30th meeting of the leaders aiming to find a comprehensive settlement to Cyprus problem.

In their last meeting on May 21, leaders mainly debated opening Yesilirmak border crossing, but failed to reach any result.

President Talat then proposed that representatives of leaders should discuss the issue and clarify the stance of the parties, and launched a new initiative.

Representatives of leaders began discussing opening Yesilirmak border crossing during this week.

Cyprus talks, which were interrupted when Greek Cypriots rejected a United Nations (UN) plan (Annan plan for solution of the Cyprus issue) in the twin referendums held on April 24, 2004, resumed in September 11, 2008 following the victory of Demetris Christofias, AKEL chairman, in the presidential election held in Greek Cypriot part of the island.

Talat and Christofias have discussed management and share of power, property, European Union (EU) issues so far.

They will debate territory and security after completing discussions on economy.