Recent developments in the Cyprus issue, developments in the energy field, as well as Egypt, were discussed Thursday at a meeting held in Athens between President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou.
The two sides reaffirmed their close cooperation in the Cyprus issue and in the field of energy, noting that they coordinate their policy and their initiatives.
In statements after the meeting, President Christofias stressed Athens’ firm support to Cyprus, saying that he informed the Greek Prime Minister about the recent meeting which took place in Geneva between himself, UN Secretary General Ban Ki – moon and the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.
The Greek Prime Minister described the meeting with Christofias as “crucial” and expressed hope that the Turkish-Cypriot side will “finally respond to his well-known proposals for an honest and mutual compromise, in the framework of a negotiation without pressing deadlines and arbitration”.
Papandreou and Christofias went on to note that the burden to prove a good will for a political settlement in Cyprus lies on Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side.
They called on Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots to display a constructive stance and refrain from putting forward issues that are not part of the Cyprus reunification process, relevant UN resolutions and the agreements reached between the leaders of the two communities on Cyprus.
Following a meeting in Athens, Prime Minister George Papandreou and Cypriot President Demetris Christofias have suggested that the two countries could cooperate on the exploitation of what are thought to be substantial reserves of natural gas.
“Greece and Cyprus have converging interests, including in the energy sector,” Papandreou said. “As in all matters, we are coordinating closely on the issue of delineating sea zones.
“A lot is being written about what there is underground but we will have to wait for more details on this and any developments will follow the process that has been set up between Greece and Cyprus.”
However, Turkey objects to Nicosia exploring in Cyprus’s 51,000-square kilometre exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which lies south of the island. Commenting on recent developments in Egypt, President Christofias said that “they affect us all” and expressed the wish for a positive outcome for the sake of peace.
On the same issue, the Greek Prime Minister referred to the long- lasting relations between Greece and Egypt, noting that any changes in the neighboring country should take place with reliability and without violence. Source: AP, ANA, Kathimerini
