“Solving the Cyprus issue is a precondition for full normalisation of Greek-Turkish relations,” Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said during abrief stopover at Cyprus’ Larnaca airport on his way to Israel. After the meeting withCyprus President DimitrisChristofias, Papandreou called on Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership to seriously study the proposals recently submitted by Christofias,
Greek PM said that the Cypriot president, with the package of proposals he submitted, “is one step ahead in the efforts for resolving the Cyprus issue”.
George Papandreou reiterated that the Cyprus issue is a top priority of Greek foreign policy, adding that a solution to the Cyprus issue is a precondition for the full normalisation of Greek-Turkish relations. “A solution must reunite the island, put an end to the Turkish occupation and be founded on the UN resolutions and the principles of the EU.”
Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias urged Turkey to meet a U.N. resolution and to return a now abandoned town on Cyprus’s eastern coast, Varosha, to U.N. control. “In exchange, a Turkish Cypriot port in the nearby city of Famagusta could open to direct trade under EU supervision and Greek Cypriots would assist in restoring a medieval town in the area”, he said.
Christofias noted as more important the issues of properties, territorial adjustment and of thousands displaced people.
Urging Turkey to accept his proposals and speed up the peace talks, Cyprus president said that this process could help Ankara’s bid to join the European Union, Christofias said, “Turkey will benefit in its accession since chapters which are now frozen will open”.
Cuprus has been divided since 1974, when Ankara sent troops to invade the island. It is split with the South been runned by an international recognized government. Greek Cypriots represent Cyprus in the European Union. The North is recognized only by Turkey, that still has 35.000 soldiers stationed there.
