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Cyprus President: we are ready and willing to engage in talks
LARNACA 26/1/2005 (CNA/ANA)
Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos reiterated here on Tuesday his readiness to engage in negotiations that would lead to a ''right and viable'' settlement in Cyprus.
Speaking on departure for Athens, for talks with the Greek government and the political leadership, he said he hoped to secure a more active involvement by the European Union in any such effort.

''The key word is not to find a solution, the key word is to find a correct and viable solution. We continue to be ready and willing for a resumption of talks, always under UN auspices, and we seek more active engagement and contribution by the EU and we hope we can secure this,'' he said.

He explained that if the term ''European solution'' means the solution complies with the acquis communautaire, particularly with regard to human rights, then the government does want such a solution.

Responding to questions on an EU regulation on trade, Papadopoulos said the Green Line regulation as it has come to be known allows the Turkish Cypriots to trade with the government controlled part of the island as well as with EU members.

He noted that application of this specific regulation poses some bureaucratic problems but primarily problems that are contrary to EU rules and regulations.

''We hope to submit new proposals on this regulation by the end of February and we will do all we can to reach agreement on this,'' he added.

He referred to a financial protocol, agreed some time ago, but not implemented yet as some circles have linked the allocation of the funds amounting to 259 million euro to the so-called elections in Turkish occupied Cyprus.

''As for the regulation on direct trade between the occupied areas and the EU, we do not accept it, nor do we intend to accept it as it is contrary to the acquis communautaire, its legal basis is wrong, and its sole goal is to facilitate the Turkish Cypriot illegal regime to upgrade its status giving it all the characteristics of a state barring international recognition,'' Papadopoulos stressed.

Papadopoulos dismissed Turkish press reports that the Israeli government has given the green light to businessmen to invest and do business in occupied Cyprus, saying that he has assurances to the contrary.

Responding to questions about ties between the Turkish premier and Turkish Cypriot political parties, he said such encounters are normal and can only be expected to take place since, as he explained, ''decisions on developments in Cyprus are taken in Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot parties conform.''

''We too are in constant consultation and coordination with the Greek government. We have daily contact in various ways and we often meet to coordinate and examine anticipated developments and possibilities,'' he said.

On next month's visit to Ankara by the main opposition leader, Papadopoulos said it would not be ''reasonable to have Mr Anastassiades communicate our official positions'', noting that he would gladly talk to him before going to Turkey.

''I would consider such a conversation with him very useful. Mr Anastassiades is not an official envoy of the government,'' he concluded.

Nicos Anastassiades, leader of the Democratic Rally, heading a party delegation leaves for Ankara in early February following an invitation from the Justice and Development party of Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan.