The 8 July Agreement reaffirmed the Cyprus government’s commitment to reunify the island on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. On 29 August 2006, the UN Security Council urged the implementation of the 8 July Agreement without further delay and expressed its support for the continued efforts of the Secretary-General to achieve a comprehensive settlement on Cyprus. In order to facilitate the process, on 15 November 2006 the UN Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs provided suggestions for the implementation of the 8 July Agreement. Unfortunately, difficulties appeared during the preparatory phase, because the Turkish side questioned the fundamental elements of the Agreement. In a letter to the UN SecretaryGeneral in April 2007, the Turkish Cypriot leader sought to alter the agreed framework of the 8 July Agreement. For the Government of Cyprus as well as for the United Nations, the 8 July Agreement procedure became the only way available leading to a mutually acceptable solution. However, its implementation was undermined by the prevarications of the Turkish side. New initiatives in 2008 yield results In February 2008, the new President of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, immediately after his election, sought a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader. At their meeting on 21 March 2008, it was decided to set up working groups and technical committees and to draw up a list of issues to be considered. It was decided to hold a new meeting in three months to evaluate the progress in order to enable the start of direct negotiations, under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the UN. At the same time, it was decided to open the Ledra Street crossing point. On April 3, 2008, the crossing point on Ledras Street was opened, while on April 18, six working groups and seven technical committees launched sessions. In the absence of progress justifying the resumption of negotiations, at the initiative of President Christofias, the two leaders met again on 23 May 2008, in the presence of UN Special Representative for Cyprus, Taye-Brook Zerihoun. The meeting reaffirmed the commitment to create a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with single sovereignty, single international personality and single nationality, and political equality, as described in the resolutions of the Security Council of the UN. It was also agreed to seek the opening of other crossing points. Furthermore, the two leaders agreed to consider confidence-building measures. The Cyprus Question| A brief Introduction 19
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