Possible Basis for Agreement on Federal Police

There is a possible basis for an agreement on the shape of the federal police, said President Demetris Christofias speaking after his face-to-face meeting with Turkish-Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu this morning.

"I'd say the meeting was good today. We had Mr. Eroglu's reaction on our proposal for the federal police and the units of the police and the Investigating Authority," said Christofias.

"I wouldn't say we agreed, but the prospects aren't bad for further discussion to bring about an agreement on this issue," he said.

When asked who or what body would have final say on the Federal Police, Christofias said that this is still under discussion and that Eroglu had not raised this question.

"I think the issue is simple; either we have or do not have federation at the end of the day. I predict that it will be solved. When and if there is an agreement, it will be announced," said Christofias.

UN Special Representative Lisa Buttenheim said that the meeting was in a positive atmosphere and that the leaders and their representatives will have a working dinner at the UN Chief of Mission's residence on April 14th.

During the meeting, the leaders gave condolences to the UN after the tragic losses of UN personnel in Afghanistan, Congo, Cote 'Ivoire, Haiti and Darfur.

"As you will have seen our flag is at half-mast, this is in recognition of a number of tragic losses that the United Nations has sustained in these past few days...So it’s a very sad moment for the United Nations actually in these last few days," said Buttenheim.