Karamanlis says Cyprus solution to contribute to stability

Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said on Monday that a comprehensive, just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem, in line with UN and EU decisions, would contribute to the stability and development of the region.

Speaking at a press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after a meeting in Constantinople, Karamanlis said Greece supports Turkey in its bid to join the EU, as long as the preconditions, set out by the Union, are met.

”I reiterated to Mr. Erdogan that Greece supports the continuation of the reform and the efforts the Turkish government is making,” Karamanlis said.

He added that ”our aim is the total smoothing out of Greco-Turkish relations” and that they discussed ”possible positive effects from agreed confidence building measures.”