NICOSIA AND Athens said yesterday they would remain committed to reaching a Cyprus settlement through the United Nations, following official talks in Athens between President Tassos Papadopoulos and Greece’s Prime Minister Costas Simitis.
“Greece and Cyprus remain committed in the UN process, our main goal is to reach a solution which will be functional, just and viable, based on UN decisions and the principles of the acquis communautaire, and the full respect of human rights”, Simitis said during a joint news conference in the Greek capital.
Simitis said 2004 will be a milestone for Cyprus because the island would be completing its EU course and because Europe would be deciding on issues relating to a solution and the bloc’s relations with Ankara.
The Prime Minister said during his talks with Papadopoulos, they had discussed all aspects of the Cyprus problem, the prospects of resuming the UN negotiations, bilateral relations, international issues, Cyprus’ EU course, humanitarian issues concerning the enclaved in occupied Karpass and developments in the case of Titina Loizidou. Simitis reiterated the readiness of both countries to resume negotiations based on the Anan plan and also referred to their common position on the intransigence of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.
“We ascertained the continued intransigence of the Denktash regime which was supported by Prime Minister Erdogan’s recent participation at the provocative celebrations for the declaration of the illegal regime”, Simitis said.
Other issues which were discussed included asylum, technical issues, implementation of the acquis communautaire, Cyprus’ participation at the Intergovernmental Conference, issues concerning the joint defence pact, the Olympic Games, cultural relations as well as economic relations, which Simitis said were developing in an astonishing manner. Referring back to the Annan plan, Papadopoulos said the points which require changes in the Annan Plan to improve it did not remain stable. He said “these are being formulated on the basis of the contacts and discussions with foreigners at decision making centres”.
