Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made contact with the new President of Cyprus; if he has plans to take new initiatives in respect of the continued division of the island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10544/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The new Cypriot President, Demetris Christofias, was elected on 25 February 2008, succeeding President Tassos Papadopoulos. Shortly after his victory, the new President indicated that he had contacted the UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Cyprus, Mr Michael Møller, to seek an exploratory meeting with Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat, representing the Turkish Cypriot community, with a view to renewing talks on the Cyprus issue. Mr. Møller congratulated President Christofias on his election and welcomed his intention to move quickly to start talks with Mr. Talat with a view to reaching a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem. Following a meeting with President Christofias on 3 March, Mr. Møller said preparatory arrangements were being made to facilitate a meeting between the two men later this month.

The Taoiseach wrote to President Christofias congratulating him on his victory and saying that Ireland looks forward to continued close co-operation with the Government of Cyprus within the European Union in meeting the many challenges and opportunities that we face together. The Taoiseach also underlined that Ireland takes an active interest in the successful resolution of the Cyprus problem. He noted that we will continue to encourage progress in the negotiating process and the early achievement of the objective of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal State through an honourable, balanced and durable settlement protecting and guaranteeing the basic rights and aspirations of all Cypriots.

I welcome the encouraging statements made by President Christofias regarding the resumption of talks on this issue and hope that these political developments will lend a new impetus to the search for an enduring solution to the Cyprus problem.