Cypriot community leaders may meet jointly with UN envoy on Monday: spokesman

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NICOSIA, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci may have a joint meeting with UN Secretary General's envoy on Cyprus, Jane Holl Lute, before she leaves the island on Monday, government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said on Sunday.

His statement was made after Anastasiades met the UN envoy for 90 minutes on Sunday morning, indicating that discussions on restarting the stalled Cyprus peace negotiations went well.

She met in the afternoon with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in the part of the capital city controlled by Turkish troops.

In line with her practice, Lute did not make any statement after leaving the presidential palace following her meeting with the president, who represents the Greek Cypriot community.

But Prodromou said the meeting had been productive and focused on Lute's mission to prepare terms of reference and to resume negotiations.

"The UN envoy would judge for herself whether and how to proceed on Monday before she departs...There may be further consultations tomorrow, not excluding, if it would be helpful, a joint meeting," the spokesman said.

"Mrs Lute will be here tomorrow and will announce accordingly whether and how the consultations will continue," he added.

He said Anastasiades had presented his positions and his approach to resuming negotiations.

"And as he was certainly expected, addressed Turkey's illegal actions in Cyprus' EEZ (exclusive economic zone) as well as in general the challenges posed by Turkey such as the illegal interventions in Varosha," Prodromou said in reference to Turkish Cypriot moves to extend their control over the fenced off Greek Cypriot ghost city.

Varosha is the newer part of Famagusta, the Mediaeval Venetian city on the eastern coast of Cyprus, which boasts the famous Othello tower, where the same-name Shakespearean drama unfolded.

The spokesman did not reply to questions on what Lute thought specifically about Turkey's actions, saying only that "at the moment, given that the consultations are likely to continue tomorrow, it is better to limit ourselves to what we know today."

The spokesman said Anastasiades is ready and willing to continue working with both Lute and Akinci.

"The President is certainly positive. He has been making proposals for a long time because the objective is to start substantive negotiations again," said Prodromou.

The two leaders had an informal meeting on Aug. 9, agreeing to continue working with Lute on the terms of reference. They had also agreed to hold a tripartite meeting with the UN Secretary-General in September to plan a way forward.

If the meeting goes ahead as planned, it is expected to take place on Sept. 27 in New York, following the UN General Assembly. Enditem

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