Christofias heads for Athens talks

THE CYPRUS problem will be at the centre of discussions between President Demetris Christofias and the Greek government today.

Speaking at Larnaca Airport before leaving for Athens yesterday afternoon, Christofias said that during his visit, he would inform those involved on his meetings with UN special representative in Cyprus Michael Moller, as well as with ambassadors of the five permanent members of the Security Council.

He will also be discussing his forthcoming meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

“This visit is a tradition for the President of the Republic after he is elected,” Christofias told reporters.

Last night, Christofias attended a dinner held in his honour by Greek President Karolos Papoulias, while today he will meet with Papoulias, as well as the Greek Prime Minister, House President and all party leaders.

“We will exchange views that have to do with current developments in the Cyprus problem, I will inform them on my contacts with the representatives of the five permanent members of the Security Council and the UN special representative in Cyprus Michael Moller, the preparations that are being made for the meeting with Mr Talat and of course, we will discuss with the Prime Minister of Greece the imminent Summit Meeting of the European Union,” said Christofias.

He added that he would also request to be informed on issues that are related to Greece, such as the issue of the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

“We support the way the Greek government is handling the issue,” said Christofias.

Referring to his relationship with the attending media, Christofias said this was his first meeting with them as President of the Republic and added: “We will continue our co-operation as it was in the past, very warmly and harmoniously.”

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.