Tassos ready to discuss Cyprus problem with Talat

President Tassos Papadopoulos is willing to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, whenever there is an issue at hand to discuss with regard to the Cyprus problem, Foreign Minister George Lillikas said.

“The government of Cyprus stands firm by its policy, that whenever there is an issue for discussion regarding the Cyprus problem, especially if it concerns the substance of the problem, President Papadopoulos will be willing to meet with Talat, either to provide political guidance to the experts and the technical committees trying to prepare the ground or to help overcome any problems that may arise during this procedure”, Lillikas said.

The Minister was asked about a proposal Papadopoulos has communicated to Talat, through the UN, for a meeting to review and evaluate developments following the exchange of lists of issues to be discussed on a technical level and after discussions between their respective representatives, in line with the July 8th agreement between Papadopoulos and Talat.

President Papadopoulos, the Minister noted, has undertaken the initiative to help so that the process yields results. He added that the meeting between President Papadopoulos and Mehmet Ali Talat has not been finalized yet.

Lillikas reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side believes that the July 8th agreement is very important, as an opportunity for the Cyprus talks to resume on political level. He noted that the procedure could yield better results, when statements regarding the work of the technical committees, set to discuss day to day issues as well as substantive issues, are avoided.

Lillikas added that another meeting will take place between the representatives of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot leaders.

“A meeting between President Papadopoulos and Talat could either help overcome any problems that may arise or give guidance. It is not right to start giving any negative or very optimistic interpretation to the proposed meeting”, he concluded