Karamanlis: Kosovo and Cyprus two different issues

by Christa Nicolaou

The situation in Kosovo and the political problem in Cyprus can, by no means, be understood as two related issues, said Friday Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis.

Speaking before the Greek Parliament, Karamanlis said that Cyprus and Kosovo are two different issues given that Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and continues to occupy part of its territory.

«There was an invasion in Cyprus and part of the island’s territory continues to be occupied” he stressed, adding “Turkish Cypriots themselves demonstrated in 2003 during mass demonstrations against their leadership’s policy, according to which no solution is a solution”.

Referring to Kosovo, he said that “there is absolutely no connection between the Kosovo issue and the situation in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus”.

Karamanlis reiterated Greece’s position for the resumption of talks in Cyprus, aiming at reaching a functional and viable solution, based on UN Security Council resolutions and European Union principles.

“We support a reunified Republic of Cyprus, where all citizens, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, enjoy the benefits of accession to the European family”, he added.

On Kosovo, he said that Greece would finalize its position in the coming period after “examining in depth all dimensions of the issue and all consequences” and will base its decision on “regional security but most important on Greece’s interests”.