Ankara/Athens, 09/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yasar Yakis, indicated in a declaration to the press that the Turkish government was currently finalising its new policy on Cyprus and was expecting to announce this new policy at the end of the week. According to the ANA agency the Minister stated that, "What we are looking for is a solution in the framework of the United Nations, which is also protecting Greek interests". The spokesman for the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Bulu acknowledged "the need to correct" this policy. According to the spokesman, such a revision is necessary in order to take into account the new element that constitutes the new Annan Plan on Cyprus.
In a letter to the Secretary General of the UN, Koffi Annan, Costas Simitis, the Greek Prime Minister is said to be ready to begin discussions over Cyprus with Turkey and the UN in an effort to reach "as rapidly as possible" an "overall, sustainable and viable" solution for the island. But in pointing out that Turkey had twice refused to begin negotiations with the Greeks on security issues, Mr Simitis stressed that in order to reach an agreement by 28 February, Turks and Turkish Cypriots, "will have to commit themselves to the negotiation process in a way that is more constructive and in good faith".