Setback in Cyprus talks admitted by Greece
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
Greek government spokeswoman Sophia Voultepsi aknowledged a setback in the negotiation process about the reunification of Cyprus.
President Nikos Anastasiades, will be in Athens on Monday, 28 July, for talks with the Greek Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras, focusing mainly on the ongoing negotiations between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots for a solution to the Cyprus issue.
Sofia Voultepsi, the government spokeswoman in Athens, told Cyprus News Agency that “there seems to be a kind of setback in the negotiation process”, and that “this is reflected in recent statements made by the President of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Dervis Eroglou”.
Mrs Voultepsi added that, “in the context of the unbreakable relations between Greece and Cyprus, this issue relating to the setback of the talks, will be discussed between Samaras and Anastasiades on Monday”.
Abdullah Gul, during his visit to Cyprus' Turkish occupied areas for the celebrations of the Turkish invasion of 1974 a few days ago, said that he sees “positive signs” that the ongoing talks will lead to the formation “of a new, partnership country in Cyprus very soon”.
He spoke of a solution “which will guarantee the status quo of the Turkish Cyprus”, and assured that Turkey “always as a guarantor power and a mother land to the Turkish Cypriots, will never allow them to become a minority within a Greek state”.
In the light of these statements, which according to CNA sources have caused concern in Athens and Nicosia, government spokesman Sofia Voultepsi said Samaras and Anastasiades will discuss on Monday what the next steps will be”.
