Greek Cypriot leader Christofias, Turkish Cypriot leader Talat 25 July announced 3 Sept start of reunification talks after agreed “in principle” to “single sovereignty and citizenship” at 1 July preparation meeting. UN 17 July confirmed former Australian FM Alexander Downer as special adviser. Turkish PM Erdogan visited 19 July to mark 34th anniversary of Turkish invasion, underlined support for Talat; Christofias condemned visit.

UN political head Pascoe met separately 18 June with Greek Cypriot leader Christofias, Turkish Cypriot leader Talat in Nicosia. Talat did not attend joint dinner after criticising 5 June UK-Greek Cypriot memorandum of understanding. Representatives of both communities 20 June announced series of bicommunal projects on education, infrastructure, health. Christofias, Talat met again 1 July. EU 16 June agreed relaxation of economic restrictions against north after Cyprus 3 June dropped legal action against EU aid. UNSC 13 June extended mandate of UNFICYP peacekeeping mission to 15 Dec. Former Australian FM Downer 1 July appointed UN special envoy for peace process.

After exchanging sharp words in public, Greek Cypriot President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Ali Talat met 23 May in Nicosia; joint statement reaffirmed commitment to “bizonal, bicommunal … federal govt with a single international personality”, comprising a “constituent state” each with “political equality”. Working groups and technical committees continue; talks between leaders to resume June.

Further progress in reunification talks as 6 working groups, 7 technical committees started negotiations 18 Apr under UN auspices near Nicosia. Ledra border crossing in Nicosia opened 3 Apr. Turkish Cypriot leader Talat visited Greek part of Nicosia 4 Apr. UNSG 17 Apr appointed Tayé- Brook Zerihoun as new special representative.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Talat met 21 March in Nicosia under UN auspices; agreed to open Nicosia Ledra border crossing, set up working groups, technical committees to prepare formal reunification talks in 3 months. UNSG Ki-moon 26 March appointed interim new special representative Elizabeth Spehar, replacing Michael Møller.

Demetris Christofias of Communist Akel party won 24 Feb second round presidential elections with 53.4%. Conservative Kasoulides second with 46.6%. Incumbent President Papadopoulos ousted 17 Feb first round. Christofias and Turkish Cypriot President Talat agreed to meet at “earliest possible date” for reunification talks.

Campaigning continued for first round of Greek Cypriot presidential elections 17 Feb. None of 3 candidates likely to win before run-off vote 24 Feb. Incumbent President Papadopoulos just ahead, followed by nominally communist AKEL leader Dimitris Christofias and ex-FM and Euro-parliamentarian Ioannis Kasoulides. Turkish President Gul visited UNSG Ban Ki-moon 9 Jan; restated support for post-election push for UN- mediated Cyprus talks. Greek PM Karamanlis visited Ankara 23 Jan – first official trip by a Greek premier since 1959; said Cyprus solution required to clear path to EU.

In report issued 10 December, UNSG Ban Ki- moon criticised Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides for failure to implement July 2006 agreement, undermining progress toward fully-fledged negotiations. UNSC Resolution 1789 extended UNFICYP mandate to 15 June 2008.

Greek Cypriot smuggling suspect, arrested in October by Turkish Cypriot police, died in custody. Greek Cypriot coroner said man beaten before death after Turkish Cypriot coroner failed to establish cause of death.

Cypriot and Greek governments protested strategic partnership agreement signed by British and Turkish PMs Brown and Erdogan 23 October; said document’s call to promote direct commercial, political and economic ties with Turkish Cypriots and reference to TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) promoted partition. London reaffirmed support for unity of island and UN settlement efforts. Turkish Cypriot leader Talat met UNSG Ban Ki-moon 16 October; urged more active UN support for negotiations restart.