Diplomatic wheels in motion in Cyprus
Diplomatic wheels in motion in Cyprus
Just prior to the presidential elections, most Cypriots would have predicted several further years of inactivity on the diplomatic front regarding unifying the island of Cyprus. Nowadays Cypriots are facing the intriguing prospect of new talks between the sixth President of the Republic of Cyprus; Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader; Mehmet Ali Talat.
Suddenly what seemed impossible a short while ago seems encouragingly tantalisingly possible. Not long after he was elected, President Christofias immediately stated that he wanted to start talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. This resulted in a 3-hour meeting with Michael Moller - the United Nations' official representative on Cyprus. Both President Christofias and Mr Talat are leaders of their respective left-wing parties, and have been acquainted a considerable period of time.
It was reported that their respective body language both before and after their historic meeting showed an encouraging rapport that has been noticeably absent between official representatives of the two Cypriot communities during previous years. Michael Moller also reported that the pre and post meeting discussions were "very positive and cordial" while the talks themselves were quoted as being “businesslike.”
It has been agreed that both communities would establish working groups and technical committees to prepare the agenda for more in depth talks later in 2008. There has been a community expectation that Ledra Street, in the old walled street of Nicosia would be reopened to foster reconciliation between the two communities in order to encourage positive feelings prior to the full negotiations. This would be ideal if you are considering a discount Cyprus apartment to invest in as reunification would revitalise Nicosia.
Before Ledra Street was blocked in the middle it was at the heart of Nicosia’s shopping region. That would have depressed the value of discount Cyprus apartment and villas in the city, causing investors to stay away. However its fortunes faltered further when Nicosia was divided during the 1960s, when violence broke out between the two communities. Possibly a good omen of the talks ahead came in a quip from President Christofias himself on his way to the meeting. A reporter questioned if he would be drinking Greek coffee or Turkish coffee during the meeting. His reply? "We will both be having Cypriot coffee."
These talks are very encouraging and auger well if you are thinking of buying a villa holiday home in Cyprus. Buying a Cyprus property home in Cyprus that is reunited would be a great investment.
