Peace talks going well - Turkish Cyprus

Turkish Cyprus President Derviş Eroğlu said intensive talks with the island’s southern part were going well, in a contrast to Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias’ recent statements, Hurriyet Daily News reports on Friday.

“For us, the negotiations are going well,” Eroğlu told Hürriyet yesterday.

But Christofias said the January 4 negotiations were proceeding poorly. "If no agreement is reached soon, there would be no reason to convene for special upcoming talks in New York," he added.

Eroğlu also said Turkey does not influence their decisions but the Turkish Cypriot government conveys its solution suggestions to Ankara only to inform them. “Ankara has not objected to any of our suggestions so far,” Eroğlu said, adding that the situation was not the same for the island’s Greek side.