Papademos: Partition no option for Cyprus

Greek Prime Minister Loukas Papademos stated that partition is no option for Cyprus, reiterating that a solution must be in line with UN decisions and provide for a bizonal bicommunal federation with a single international personality, one sovereignty and one citizenship.
Addressing the Cyprus parliament at the end of his two-day official visit to the island, Papademos also said that the solution must provide for the evolution of the Cypriot state and not its dissolution.
The Greek premier called on Turkey to undertake “decisive initiatives” towards the Turkish Cypriot side, if it really has the political will to work for a settlement in Cyprus.
“We believe that Cyprus’ EU membership and exploitation of natural gas reserves can be positive factors towards a comprehensive and agreed settlement in Cyprus to the benefit of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots,” he said.
“Support to Cyprus unites Greece,” the Greek PM noted, adding that he also supports the ongoing UN-led peace talks between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.
The solution must comply with Cyprus’ status as an EU member and must restore the fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots.
On attempts to convene an international conference on Cyprus, Papademos stressed that unless the internal aspects of the question of Cyprus – territory, property and the issue of Turkish settlers – are resolved, there can be no constructive discussion on such a conference.
He criticised Ankara’s approach on this, saying it has to contribute towards the resolution of these issues by acting on the Turkish Cypriot side.
“Greece looks forward to full normalization of Greco-Turkish relations. This however can only happen once a mutually acceptable solution in Cyprus is achieved, which will also give an impetus to Turkey’s European aspirations, provided this candidate country meets EU criteria,” he added.
Referring to the forthcoming EU presidency which Cyprus will hold in the second half of the year, he said it is high time that EU principles are applied throughout the territory of the Republic of Cyprus. Now implementation of the acquis communautaire has been suspended in the areas of the Republic under Turkish occupation, where the legal government of Cyprus is prevented from exercising its jurisdiction, as provided by Protocol 10 of the accession treaty.
The Prime Minister criticized Turkey’s threats over Cyprus’ sovereign right to explore its natural gas deposits in its exclusive economic zone. Large deposits have been discovered following exploratory drilling by US based Noble Energy.