CYPRUS TALKS WILL CONTINUE 24 MARCH AT BÜRGENSTOCK, SWITZERLAND

CYPRUS TALKS WILL CONTINUE 24 MARCH AT BÜRGENSTOCK, SWITZERLAND

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

Pursuant to the 13 February agreement on the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, the Secretary-General yesterday sent letters of invitation convening a meeting of the two sides, with the participation of Greece and Turkey in order to lend their collaboration, in a concentrated effort to agree on a finalized text by 29 March 2004.

Accordingly, the process under way will from 24 March continue at Bürgenstock, a hotel complex in the outskirts of Lucerne, Switzerland, that would be United Nations premises for the duration of the meeting.

The Secretary-General looks forward to the two sides and Greece and Turkey meeting their commitments under the 13 February agreement, and has asked that all concerned be in a position to make final commitments at Bürgenstock.  The Secretary-General will be personally involved in the effort as it draws to an end.

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