Sincere Effort By Both Sides - President

Intensive face-to-face talks continued today with a sincere effort by both sides to achieve convergence, said President Demetris Christofias speaking after today's eight hour meeting with Turkish-Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

"Our aim is to get together to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, I hope this goal is understood by our internal front," said Christofias, referring to recent criticisms of his efforts in the ongoing peace talks.

"It is not an easy job, but not hopeless, and we will continue tomorrow," said Christofias.

Intensive talks have been held at Taye-Brook Zerihoun's residence in the UN-controlled Nicosia Airport and will end on the 27th. Thus far no announcements have been made as to whether they will continue.

"The aim is not to end the talks at this time," said Christofias.

UN special adviser Alexander Downer said recently that it is likely that talks would break in April, when there will be elections in the Turkish-Cypriot community.

"The two leaders met most of today in a tête-à-tête session and they authorized me to say they had a very friendly meeting, or series of meetings; they had a very significant exchange of ideas. Tomorrow morning they will be meeting again in plenary session and they will be discussing these ideas more broadly with a plenary group," said Downer.

Asked about rumours that UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon would be coming to Cyprus early February, Downer said: "we’ll see. Visits of the Secretary-General are announced when New York makes final decisions. At this stage no final decision has been made about that."