Papandreou discusses Cyprus issue with Swedish FM

The Cyprus issue and Greco-Turkish relations were the focus of a meeting held in Stockholm between Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and Foreign Minister of Sweden, Karl Bildt, whose country holds the EU rotating presidency until the end of December.

Papandreou, who was accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Demetris Droutsas, also discussed EU issues, ahead of the EU Council, which begins today in Brussels.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Reuters, Droutsas underlined that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots should negotiate a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem, without any Turkish intervention or threats that now is their last chance to solve the problem.

The Greek Deputy FM noted that “it is no secret that the influence of Ankara on the Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriot leader is at times not as constructive as it should be”.

He expressed disagreement with setting any strict timeframes in the effort towards a solution.

''We are here again, we ask for cooperation”, Droutsas said in his first interview with foreign media, adding that other Greco-Turkish issues should also be resolved, such as illegal immigration and flights of Turkish military aircraft over Greek islands.

''We have to find solutions for any issue which is an obstacle for the EU-Turkish relations”, he concluded.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Peace talks are underway to reunite the country, under a federal roof.