Karoyian welcomes positive climate

Cyprus House President has described as “positive” the climate following last week’s meeting between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities.

“The first meeting between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat has created a positive climate,” House President Marios Karoyian has said, adding however that there is still a long way to go.

Speaking to students of the Philosophical Schools of the Universities of Athens and Palermo, Karoyian noted that as long as the Turkish establishment dictates its terms on the Turkish Cypriot community, things will be difficult.

The international community, he said, must exert pressure on Turkey to change its stance and show readiness for a settlement on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions and international law.

On the role of the European Union in efforts to find a negotiated settlement, Karoyian said that the settlement is pursued within the UN framework, noting that the EU is facilitating this process.

Karoyian said the EU has said the settlement must be based on EU principles and expressed hope that “Turkey will not set out any terms which are contrary to these values.”

“We are ready for a painful, historic compromise that will not put at risk our survival. We are flexible and decisive when needed,” he added.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed 21 March 2008 to ask their respective advisers, George Iacovou and Ozdil Nami, to meet in order to set up a number of working groups and technical committees and establish their agendas.

The two leaders also decided to meet again in three months to review the work done on various aspects of the Cyprus problem, the results of which will be used to start negotiations under UN auspices for a solution.