Greek Cypriot President Anastasiades, accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides and Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides, is in Greece for a two day visit.
He met with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras for half an hour, in a meeting which included the Foreign Ministers of both countries and other officials of the two governments, to discuss recent developments on the Cyprus issue, ‘Famagusta Gazette’ reports.
Prime Minister Samaras said: “There is no significant rapprochement,” after meeting President Anastasiades in Athens.
“Greece will continue to support the constructive efforts of the Republic of Cyprus and Nicos Anastasiades both in terms of the process and the essence of the negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem,” he said.
Anastasiades pointed out that, “we will get even more from our presence in the EU, to strengthen our positions, and we will reach out to other countries which are involved in the process and can exert influence on Turkey.”
In their statements both leaders acknowledged that there are complications in the negotiating process. Samaras stressed that not only was there no progress, but there is also now confirmation of the differences between the two sides.
President Anastasiades provided detailed information regarding the complications in the negotiations. Samaras pointed to the refusal of the Turkish Cypriot side to accept the acquis communautaire and the fact that the Turkish Cypriots had rejected suggestions by President Anastasiades as regards Confidence Building Measures or even procedural issues.
“We will continue the dialogue,” said President Anastasiades.
