 United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is expected to meet Thursday with his Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer over reunification talks between Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders.
Ban's Deputy Spokesperson Eduardo Del Buey told the Anadolu Agency that Downer was set to brief the UN chief on reunification negotiations ahead of an expected decision by Ban whether to call an international conference over the Cyprus issue.
Downer presented a two-page report to the UN head late in March over the latest state of the negotiations and possible future outcomes. UN opted not to announce the contents of the report, saying that it was "an internal document."
Turkish Cypriot sources say Ban should make a statement after meeting with Downer over the prospects of an international conference to decide on future course the settlement talks would take.
A senior envoy to Turkish Cypriot President Dervis Eroglu had earlier said Turkish Cypriots would not consent to talks going on forever if the Greek Cypriot side failed to agree with holding an international conference.
UN sources have said Ban will not be able to make a decision after Thursday's meeting with Downer, citing he was very much occupied with the ongoing crisis in Syria.
Sources have said Ban might hold talks with the permanent members of the Security Council and he could propose a different format for the reunification talks in case he chooses not to call for an international conference.
Ban had said he could call for an international conference late April or early May depending upon the progress report presented by Downer.
The Greek Cypriot administration opposes to an international conference citing "lack of progress" in the Cyprus negotiations.
UNITED NATIONS (AA)
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