H.E. Mr Glafkos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and H.E. Mr Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader, met today at 11.30 a.m. in the United Nations Protected Area in Nicosia in the presence of Mr Alvaro de Soto, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus. The discussions continued over lunch which ended at 2.30. p.m. A United Nations note-taker was present throughout.

The leaders reiterated their commitment to negotiate on the basis of the Secretary-General’s revised proposal of 10 December 2002, with a view to completing an agreement by the end of February so that informed decisions can be taken by the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots in separate referenda on 30 March 2003.

The leaders have agreed to meet again, together with their advisers, on Friday 17 January 2003 at 4.00 p.m. A programme for intensive negotiations in the coming weeks would be agreed then.