Cypriot FM: 2009 a year of decisive developments in Cyprus question

Cyprus Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou has expressed the belief that 2009 will be a year of decisive developments with regard to efforts to solve the Cyprus question.

According to the Athens News Agency (ANA), in statements in Melbourne where he is paying a visit, March 4-11, Kyprianou expressed “reserved optimism” about the outcome of direct negotiations held between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

He said he is not expecting at this phase any initiative by the new US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and noted that due to the elections in Turkey and the so-called elections to take place in April in Cyprus' Turkish occupied areas, Ankara is not expected to show any flexibility.

He expressed the view that after the elections and due to the evaluation of Turkey’s EU accession course Ankara’s real intentions will become clear.

Kyprianou said that Ankara is now recognizing the need to solve the Cyprus question, adding at the same time that the international community gives credit to the Greek Cypriot side for good faith in the talks.

Cyprus FM expressed satisfaction with the role of the UN Secretary Adviser on Cyprus Australian Alexander Downer “even if sometimes and due to his role he sounds more optimistic.”

He also referred to the important role of Greeks and Greek Cypriots living abroad in raising awareness about the Cyprus question worldwide and stressed the need for rapprochement between the two communities in Cyprus.

Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct talks since September last year, with a view to reach a settlement to the problem of Cyprus, divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.