President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades has sent a letter to newly-elected Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan, congratulating him on his election, and noting his expectation that the Turkish President will become personally involved in efforts to solve the Cyprus issue. The letter was received cordially by Ankara, sources say.
Greek Foreign Ministry sources told CNA that the letter`s content was conveyed on Thursday by Greek Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos – who was in the Turkish capital to attend ErdoÄŸan`s inauguration – both to the new Turkish President, as well as to Ahmet DavutoÄŸlu, ErdoÄŸan`s successor as party leader and the country`s next Prime Minister.
The same sources noted that both ErdoÄŸan and DavutoÄŸlu stated in reply Ankara`s position, saying that they also wish the Cyprus problem solved. According to the sources, Ankara considers President Anastasiades a credible interlocutor.
No official announcement has been made over the issue.
According to sources, in his two-paragraph-long letter, President Anastasiades congratulates his Turkish counterpart over his direct election by the people to Turkey`s highest office.
“I look forward to your personal involvement for reaching a solution to the Cyprus issue, which, if reached, will be to the benefit of all involved and will help Turkey assume the role it claims in the region”, the President of Cyprus concludes.
Greek Foreign Ministry sources told CNA moreover that the letter was an initiative of President Anastasiades and was sent from Nicosia to Athens via a Greek diplomat. Moreover, the actual letter was handed over by Ambassador Anastasios Mitsialis, the Greek Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General, to Feridun SinirlioÄŸlu, the Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Ankara does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004. UN-led peace talks are currently underway to find a negotiated settlement that will reunify the country under a federal roof.
