NEGOTIATIONS OF LEADERS OF TURKISH AND GREEK COMMUNITIES LAUNCHED
At the negotiations in Nicosia, discussed is the plan presented by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Both sides have certain remarks in regard with the said plan. The Turkish side, first, demands recognition of the Turks from Cyprus, suggests that both sides of island have equal status. Another question that worries the Turkish side is the problem of ensuring safety after withdrawal of the Turkish military contingent in the island. The Turks from Cyprus are not satisfied with the ‘transparency’ of the borderline the plan envisages between the northern and southern parts of island and demands more accurate borderline. Yet there is not reached an agreement on replacement of the Greeks from Cyprus in the north, number of resettled citizens, their rights to acquire property in the Turkish part. Just these issues were put on the agenda of the Nicosia talks.
In the course of negotiations, will be made proposals on flag and anthem of then unified island. In the case if the sides come to agreement, Turkey and Greece will join the process of negotiations. Plan of the UN Secretary General holding leading position in the process, in the case of achieving certain result, will be submitted for voting in the referendum in both sides of the island.
The key question the Turkish side concerned with is the decision on admission on 1 may of Cyprus to the European Union. Turkey is concerned that the Greek side would drag the process of negotiations. And the UN Secretary General demands finalization of the discussions up to this date. On the contrary, the agenda may include the question on embargo imposed by the UN to the northern part of Cyprus, and recognition of the Turkish Republic of the Northern Cyprus.
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