Brussels, 26/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Greek Foreign Minister, Georges Papandreou, said farewell on Monday in Brussels to his colleagues at the EU Council of Ministers and to the accredited press gathering. After five years at the Foreign Ministry, he is to leave his post on Tuesday to take over at the head of his party with a view to the general elections on 7 March this year. Mr Papandreou rapidly recalled the role played by the Greek Presidency during the Iraqi crisis and the change that has taken place in relations with Turkey. He thanked Messrs Prodi and Solana as well as all the Commissioners with whom he has worked.
Answering questions on Cyprus, Georges Papandreou urged for talks to be rapidly resumed for reunification of the island, if possible before 1 May and at any rate in 2004. While admitting that the settlement of the Cypriot issue is not a Copenhagen criteria, Mr Papandreou said it is a major political element with a view to Turkey's accession.