President Clerides described this period as the most crucial for Cyprus since the commencement of efforts to secure a negotiated settlement to the division of the island since the Turkish invasion in 1974.

In an address to the first world symposium of Cypriot academia covered by the CNA, the Cypriot President said there is "no reason to be optimistic" at this stage of the ongoing direct talks because no progress has been achieved as a result of the intransigent positions of the Turkish side. He repeated that European Union membership for Cyprus is expected to be concluded successfully at the end of the year.

The President called on Cypriot university professors to play an even more important role in the global effort to inform world public opinion about the situation in Cyprus.

"Our course towards Europe is in its final stages and at the same time we are engaged in negotiations in an attempt to solve the Cyprus question prior to accession," the President told some 100 professors who work in 11 countries.

"So far, optimism is not justified in the direct talks, in spite of the constructive approach the Greek Cypriot side displays at the negotiating table", said Clerides, who represents the Greek Cypriot community to the talks.