U.N. Welcomes Agreement on Direct Talks Between Cypriot Leaders

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 13, 2001

U.N. Welcomes Agreement on Direct Talks Between Cypriot Leaders

The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday welcomed the agreement by Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader, to begin direct talks in Cyprus next year.

The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday welcomed the agreement by Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader, to begin direct talks in Cyprus next year.

Ambassador Moctar Ouane of Mali, council president for December, said in a statement that council members welcomed this and other positive developments and hope that progress will be achieved at the negotiating table resulting in a comprehensive settlement.

He noted that U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan had informed the council that the talks would begin on January 16, 2002.

Ouane said council members gave their full support to the Secretary-General and the mission of good offices, and encouraged Annan and his Special Adviser Alvaro Soto to continue to help the parties as appropriate.

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