Greek Foreign Minister to visit Cyprus

Droutsas is expected to be received by President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and to meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou.

On February 17, Droutsas will be flying to New York for a meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. On their agenda will be the Cyprus problem, developments in the Middle East and the issue of the name of FYROM.

In view of his meetings, Droutsas met in Athens on Thursday with the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer, to hear his views and assessment concerning the Cyprus problem.

According to Spokesman for the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gregoris Delavekouras, the purpose of Droutsas' meetings is to discuss the Cyprus problem and express Athens' concern over the slow pace of the talks for a settlement and the absence of any will on the Turkish Cypriot side for substantive talks.

Delavekouras noted that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu should sit at the negotiating table with constructive positions and a will for progress, having first committed himself clearly to the basis of a solution.

Referring to demonstrations by Turkish Cypriots in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, Delavekouras said that they reflect a reality and a situation that is not viable, which has been formed as a consequence of the Turkish occupation and the oppression of the Turkish Cypriots by the Turkish troops.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.