Commenting on Downer’s appointment, which was announced on Friday, at Larnaca airport before his departure for Paris where he will participate at the EU summit for the Mediterranean, Christofias said that the former Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs would be judged by his actions.
He said Secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon’s intentions were well known, and added that each and every one “will be judged by his action and his productivity”.
Furthermore Christofias expressed the belief that the UN and its officials could play a positive role in the joint efforts towards a Cyprus settlement based on the Security Council resolutions.
The president added that the Greek Cypriot side would evaluate the progress or work being done by the technical committees and working groups ahead of his July 25 meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. During the meeting he would express the Greek Cypriot side’s estimation and opinion on the matter, he added.
This month’s meeting is the fourth since Christofias’ election in February. It is a review of the progress achieved at discussions between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot experts on various aspects of the Cyprus question, including territory, governance, the economy and property. The leaders will decide whether direct negotiations between them can begin.
By Alexia Saoulli, Cyprus Mail, July 13,2008
