Cypriot President meets Greek political leaders

By Christa Nicolaou

Athens,  (CNA) –Cypriot President met here today Greek political leaders, as part of his working visit to Athens.

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou assured President Christofias that as President of PASOK and President of the Socialist International he will stand by him in efforts to reach a just solution to the Cyprus issue, in line with UN resolutions and on the basis of the aquis communautaire.

Evaluating the current stage of the long standing political problem of the island, whose northern part is occupied by Turkey, Papandreou said there will be new initiatives, noting that the UN-proposed solution Annan plan, which was rejected by the Greek Cypriots in a referendum in 2004, now belongs to history.

He added that there are now opportunities for a new momentum between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots with the support of the EU and the international community, stressing that Turkey’s will is a necessary prerequisite for a settlement in Cyprus.

General Secretary of the Greek Communist Party, KKE, Aleka Papariga stressed that the Cyprus issue should be resolved on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions, adding that the US, Britain and the EU should promote this procedure.

“Turkey should not be left to lead the dance alone in an issue such as the Cyprus problem”, Papariga said, noting that during their meeting she reiterated her party’s willingness to support the Cypriot President in efforts to solve the problem.

“We are on the same wavelength. We share the same views with the Cypriot President,” she added.

Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) leader Alekos Alavanos wished the new Cypriot President success in all anticipated initiatives in the Cyprus issue.

“The Cyprus issue is a big problem for Greece’s foreign policy. We are talking about an island, a big part of which is occupied by foreign troops”, he said.

Christofias, elected President in last month’s presidential poll, also met with a delegation of Cypriots living in Greece, who expressed their support in efforts to find a negotiated settlement that would reunite the country, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

President Christofias concludes his working visit to Athens on Thursday and returns home tomorrow.