Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-02-05

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

Tuesday, 5 February 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] Papandreou calls on the Turkish side to show the necessary will for a Cyprus solution

[01] Papandreou calls on the Turkish side to show the necessary will for a Cyprus solution

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Mr Papandreou said that with his Turkish counterpart he had a discussion on various issues, which lasted 40 minutes. During the discussions it was noted that both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides have to encourage the process of talks that started between the two communities in Cyprus.

Asked to comment on the fact that Turkish officials, although supporting the talks, are publicly calling for a two state federation in Cyprus, Mr Papandreou said:

" I think that we need to let the negotiations move ahead. We have always supported the negotiations within the framework of the UN resolutions and they are very clear as far as the framework for the solution. There is the European prospect for Cyprus. Therefore, whatever solution may be has to be amenable, has to be compatible with EU standards the type of government the EU would accept. I don't think that commenting on public statements is in any way constructive, so I won't comment on them. Basically, what we should do is, let us see how the two leaders move ahead with their discussions, and let us see what comes out of it."

Replying to another question on the content of his discussions, Mr Papandreou said that the Cyprus problem was not discussed in essence. The Cyprus question is not a Greco-Turkish dispute but an international issue, he said. He stressed that the Greek side always has a will to negotiate and that it is equally important to see the Turkish side display the necessary will to continue the negotiations.

Whether the negotiations will achieve the desired result is something that remains to be seen, he said, adding that to reach that stage it is absolutely necessary to have the will not only to negotiate but also to make headway within the parameters of UN decisions.

Asked to comment on the process of the talks, Mr Papandreou said that public judgment on the current peace process would come from the UN and the European Union at the appropriate moment. He said he believed it was early days to assess the process at this stage, for which the UN Secretary General had set out a time limit for June. He said that although Mr Cem was aware of his views, he nevertheless reiterated Greece's position on the Cyprus problem to his Turkish counterpart.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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