Christofias: Election results in Northern Cyprus could hurt talks

"If we can't work things out with this man (Talat), who is considered progressive, then I don't know if we could ever work things out," AP quoted Christofias as saying.   Â

Talat and Christofias last September began reunification talks aimed at reaching an agreement to end the island's decades-long division.

General elections are set to be held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on April 19. Although the vote does not directly affect Talat's position as president, it is considered an important gauge of popular support for his reunification effort.

Opinion polls place Talat's left-wing party supporters behind the rightist UBP party.

The two leaders met for the 24th time at the buffer zone in Nicosia on Tuesday to discuss "EU issues," which is one of the six main chapters of negotiations.

The leaders would come together again on April 2 to continue debating EU-related issues, Taye Brook Zerihoun, the special representative of the United Nations (U.N.) secretary general in Cyprus, told reporters after Tuesday's meeting.

Afterwards, the leaders will begin discussing the issue of economy, he said.

Zerihoun also said U.N. Secretary General's Special Advisor on Cyprus Alexander Downer would come to the island on April 4 to meet with the leaders.