Brussels, 14/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - On his visit to Ankara on 15 and 16 January with Commissioner Verheugen, Romano Prodi is to insist that the Cyprus problem is resolved. On the eve of the first visit of the Commission President to Turkey, his press service announced that he will point out "the EU's strong preference for a reunified Cyprus to accede on 1 May" and that he "will stress the advantages" for Turkey of such a scenario. In its last stage report on Turkey, in November 2003, the Commission had raised the importance this dossier will have for forwarding the dossier on its accession to the EU. The appointment of a new "government" of the self-proclaimed "republic" of northern Cyprus, led by a pro-European who is ready to take up discussions on reunification, is seen as an encouraging sign. The Commission has planned to return its opinion on opening accession negotiations with Turkey in September, and the European Council will pronounce itself in December.