Presidents reward each other during visit

AUSTRIAN President Heinz Fischer said yesterday the EU hoped for a peaceful resolution to the problems that have arisen in Turkey, following a meeting he had with President Tassos Papadopoulos.

Answering reporters’ questions on the issue, Fischer said: “Our view is that there should be respect fir democratic principles. We hope for a peaceful arrangement of the problems that have arisen and we hope not to have any difficulties and a more intensive crisis in Turkey.”

Papadopoulos and Fischer, together with the delegations of the two countries, discussed European matters, the Cyprus question, the developments in Turkey, other issues in their respective areas, which affect the two countries and their bilateral relations.

After the talks, Papadopoulos presented his Austrian counterpart with the Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios III while Fischer bestowed Papadopoulos with the Grand Star of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria.

“I am happy to say that our bilateral relations are very, very good but it is an old experience of politics, that nothing can be so good that it cannot be even further continued and improved and that’s our common goal for the future,” said Fischer who is on a three-day visit.

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