The Secretary-General today met with H.E. Glafcos Clerides and then with H.E. Rauf Denktash to resume proximity talks on Cyprus that began last December. The meetings lasted about an hour each, and began with a tete-a-tete followed by attendance by the full delegations. He was scheduled for a press encounter after these meetings ended.

His Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, also participated in today’s meetings, and will continue to chair them after the Secretary-General leaves for West Africa tomorrow.

At a press briefing today, Mr. de Soto told journalists that while earlier sessions of the talks had tackled the core issues, the negotiations process had not begun. He hoped this latest session would see the beginning of negotiations. On the role of the UN as mediator, he said, “We see our role as more than a conveyer belt or potted plant. We will help as much as possible.”

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