Cyprus President asks Obama to exert pressure on Turkey

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias has asked US President Barack Obama to exert pressure on Turkey with a view to terminate the military occupation of Cyprus.

Christofias and Obama had a short encounter on the sidelines of the EU-US Summit held on Sunday in Prague.

In statements to the press Christofias said he had the opportunity to ask Obama to exert pressure on Turkey so that the Turkish occupation of Cyprus is terminated and the island and its people are reunited.

Christofias said that Obama’s response was positive. He added however that there are strategic goals of the US in relation to Turkey, adding that after Obama’s election Cypriots expect that the US will exert its pressure on its strategic ally Turkey, to change its stance to reach a mutually acceptable settlement of the Cyprus question that will bring peace, reunification and cooperation.

Invited to say if he is satisfied with the results of the Summit, Christofias replied positively adding that the atmosphere was cordial.

To another question, Christofias said that he indicated to some EU leaders Turkey’s tough positions on the Cyprus question and that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi pledged to exert his pressure towards the Turkish leadership.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.