Restarting Cyprus talks a must, Greek FM tells Fidan
Source: Cyprus Mail
The need to restart the dialogue on the Cyprus problem, in the framework of UN Security Council decisions, as well as utilising the opportunity presented by the improvement of Greco-Turkish relations, was pointed out on Thursday to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan by his Greek counterpart Giorgos Gerapetritis.
During a meeting in Brussels, on the sidelines of the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, the two ministers also discussed Greco-Turkish relations and Turkey’s EU prospects.
Greek diplomatic sources said Gerapetritis said Greece supports Turkey’s European prospect, however it was necessary for Turkey to respect the acquis Communautaire, the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all member states and the EU common foreign and security policy.
This, he said, demanded greater coordination between Turkey and the EU, according to the sources.
Gerapetritis raised issues that had caused tension between the two countries in the recent past, adding it was necessary to create a good climate, to avoid tension and to respect international law.
The two ministers also discussed the upcoming meeting in New York between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on the sidelines of the UN Security Council.
The sources said they would be discussing the timeframe and the next steps in the dialogue between the two countries.
Relations between the EU and Turkey, as well as the Cyprus problem, were on the agenda of a working lunch on Thursday between the EU foreign ministers and their Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan.
European Commission spokesman Peter Stano said on Tuesday that Cyprus was an important part of EU-Turkey relations and that discussions with Turkey would cover interests that “either converge or overlap”.
The informal meeting began with Russian hostilities against Ukraine.
During the working lunch, the ministers exchanged views on EU-Turkish relations, as well as regional and international matters of mutual interest.
On Thursday afternoon, they will discuss developments in the Middle East, with the participation of UN coordinator Sigrid Kaag, who will brief them on the humanitarian situation on the ground.
The ministers’ agenda also includes the political crisis in Venezuela.
The informal meeting will be wrapped up at around 6.15pm Cyprus time, with Borrell’s statements to the press.
The original article: belongs to Cyprus Mail .
