Papandreou says Greece and Cyprus in harmony

GREEK Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who arrives on the island today, said yesterday that Athens and Nicosia had identical views on national issues.

Speaking after a meeting in Athens with Disy leader Nicos Anastassiades, Papandreou said the two men had had a useful discussion and had confirmed an “identity of views” on national issues.

Papandreou’s two-day visit to Cyprus is taking place to prepare the ground for Greece’s handling of Turkey’s application for EU candidacy, which will be a major issue at the Helsinki summit on December 10-11.

Papandreou said the issue of Turkey’s candidacy and the stance Greece would take would be discussed with the Cyprus government.

European countries are expected to consider next week’s UN-sponsored proximity talks when looking at Turkey’s case.

The government hopes Turkey’s European aspirations will push the Turkish side towards concessions in Cyprus talks.

But political parties are sceptical. Akel said yesterday that Papandreou had to be told that Greece should insist on progress first, before Turkey was given candidacy.

“Otherwise promises by Turkey will not fulfilled,” a party statement said.

Government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said Papandreou’s visit would focus on an exchange of views. He said it was likely that, whatever happened in Helsinki would probably be a last minute decision by Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, depending on the amount of bargaining that would take place.

Papandreou arrives this afternoon and will hold talks immediately with Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides, followed by a joint press conference. On Friday morning, he will meet President Clerides.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.