PRESIDENT Tassos Papadopoulos yesterday described his meeting on Monday with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London as “excellent”, noting that the two countries had more in common than apart.
Speaking to members of the Greek Cypriot community in London, Papadopoulos noted the importance of dialogue for the British government “to understand our positions and for us to support them in issues of common interest”.
“The bitterness of the past has no place. National interest necessitates the building of strong bridges to revive the traditionally good relations,” he said.
“That which separates us is a lot but that which unites us is greater. I sincerely believe that our interests are compatible with Britain’s pursuits,” the President said.
Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides described the parallel meetings between Papadopoulos and Blair and Foreign Ministers Jack Straw and George Iacovou yesterday as very satisfying and a new start.
“There is a new beginning in the relations between Great Britain and Cyprus,” he said, referring specifically to the agreement for continuous contact between the two governments.
“Structured dialogue means the existence of a mechanism for continuing exchange of views and mutual briefing on issues in which the two countries are concerned and interested, in the EU framework or otherwise. Details and procedures have not yet been finalised,” he added.
The Spokesman noted that the overall climate that prevailed at the meeting was positive.
According to reports, Blair and Papadopoulos made a good start in new efforts to improve strained relations between the two countries, mainly due to differences over the political problem.
As the two leaders were left to kiss and make up, Straw and Iacovou discussed stickier matters like the pending EU regulations on direct trade and aid, and other EU issues.
Both sides discussed the need to make progress on resuming efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.
According to Politis, the British asked the Cyprus government to tone down its list of demands for changes to the Annan Plan.
Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said after a meeting with Blair yesterday that Turkey would not recognise Cyprus prior to a solution.
Many pundits thought the meeting, a day after Papadopoulos’ visit to Downing Street, would be used to announce the signing of the customs protocol by Turkey, extending the customs union to the 10 new member states, including Cyprus. This did not materialise.
Instead, the British Prime Minister stated that the protocol would be signed as soon as possible, noting, however, that signing the protocol was a separate issue to recognition of the Cyprus Republic. Reports suggest the protocol may be signed early next week, clearing the path for accession negotiations to begin between the EU and Turkey on October 3.
Speaking from London, Papadopoulos said Erdogan’s statement was to be expected and nothing new. Regarding Blair’s comment on recognition, the President noted that his government agreed, since the signing would not equal recognition but represent a further step towards normalising relations between Turkey and Cyprus.
Chrysostomides highlighted that the government expected a “clear signing” of the protocol by Turkey without any actions that would annul the importance of its signature.
“It is inconceivable for Turkey to insist on the non recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, while it desires to start accession negotiations with all EU member states collectively,” he added.
