Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Stavros Demas has expressed his government`s dissatisfaction over the stalemate in the direct talks to solve the Cyprus problem, stressing that the Turkish Cypriot side has shown continuous retreats in the course of the negotiations. Demas, who will be accompanying Greek Prime Minister Loukas Papademos on his two-day official visit to Cyprus, beginning on Thursday, told CNA that the Cyprus issue remains an issue of invasion and occupation for the Greek government, stressing that Greece will continue to struggle for a just and viable solution and for the reunification of the island.
He said that the negotiations must be Cypriot-led and Cypriot-owned and that the people of Cyprus should decide upon the future of their united country. Demas also expressed Greece’s discomfort over Turkey’s threats as regards the assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the EU by Cyprus.Cyprus, an EU member since May 2004, will assume the six-monthly rotating EU Presidency in July 2012. Turkey, which does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus, has threatened to freeze its relations with the EU when Cyprus assumes the EU Presidency.
The Greek Foreign Minister also referred to explorations and the exploitation of Greece’s natural resources, noting that the Greek government has shown its will to cooperate with neighboring countries, including Cyprus. He added that the brotherly relations with the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the steady cooperation with Israel, are the ideal basis for the further development of the collaboration. Asked about the Turkish threats on Cyprus’ sovereign right to exploit its natural resources found in its exclusive economic zone, Demas described these threats as unfounded, noting that the international community has condemned them.
In his interview with CNA, Demas also referred to the current economic situation in Greece, noting that there is a great deal of things that need to be done and therefore the next Government’s task is hard.