Cyprus President plays down progress

Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has said it was too early and uncertain to talk about the beginning of a new process to solve the Cyprus problem and for the conditions under which this procedure will take place.

“Our hope is for Turkey to realise that the pending situation as regards Cyprus does not serve anyone nor its own interests, the Turkish Cypriots or the Greek Cypriots,” he said.

Referring to Turkey, he said “they have to accept substantive changes in order to be able to begin a new procedure.”.

He said that he is working every day for the creation of preconditions for the resumption of a substantive dialogue.

“Quietly, consistently and with the right planning and strategy, we have promoted the interest of the UN to look into the possibilities for the resumption of a new initiative. To that end we had useful and intensive talks in New York and this week in Cyprus. It is very premature and uncertain to talk about the beginning of a new process and for the conditions under which it will take place. The future will show,” he added.