Brussels, 17/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - The new Cypriot president, Demetris Christofias, has restated his resolve to work towards reunification of Cyprus but has ruled out the possibility that the former UN proposal, the Annan Plan, may serve as the basis for a future solution.
Speaking on the sidelines of the European Council (in Brussels) on Thursday 13 March, he said the main aim of his presidency was to “put an end to the Cyprus tragedy: Turkey's unlawful occupation”. Mr Christofias said, however, he was disappointed that messages coming out of Turkey were “not positive” - messages whereby the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, plans to base future negotiation on the Annan Plan. “I hope that these are tactical statements and that they do not mean what they say because if Mr Talat continues to hold this position, you understand, it will not be very easy to break the deadlock”, Mr Christofias said. The UN plan suggesting a two-state confederate republic, was rejected by most Greeks on the island in April 2004 who expressed concern about their ownership rights in the northern part of the island. The Turkish Cypriots, on the other hand, accepted the plan during the referendum.
When asked about the port embargo in the northern part of Cyprus, the president answered: “Why is Turkey insisting on using illegal airports and ports?”. He went on to stress that the “Turkish Cypriots, citizens of the Republic of Cyprus” enjoy full rights of citizenship and access to “legal ports and airports” in the Greek part of the island. Mr Christofias asserted that he would go to the talks scheduled for 21 March “full of good will”. “I hope that the hand I give to Mr Talat will be taken and will be shaken”, he added. The last meeting (in September 2007) between Mr Talat and the Greek Cypriot leader at the time, Tassos Papadopoulos, did not end in agreement. (C.D.)