BUSH EXPRESSED US’S READINESS TO COOPERATE AND ASSIST IN EFFORTS AIMED SOLVING THE CYPRUS PROBLEM.
The US President George W. Bush has announced that his country is ready to assist efforts aimed at solving the Cyprus problem.
The US President sent a congratulatory letter to Greek Cypriot leader-elect Dimitris Christofias
In his letter, the US President expressed the desire of the US government to continue its close cooperation with South Cyprus on a wide range of bilateral issues and in the search for a settlement that will reunify the island.
The letter was passed on to Mr. Christofias by the US ambassador to Cyprus Ronald Schlicker.
Speaking to the press after meeting with the newly elected Greek Cypriot leader, Ronald Schlicker said that Christofias assured him that he had similar intentions as regards bilateral relations.
Asked about a possible new initiative on Cyprus, the Ambassador expressed the hope that the contacts between the new Greek Cypriot leader and President Mehmet Ali Talat will encourage the UN to act more quickly.
Replying to a question regarding the 8 July Agreement, reached in 2006 between outgoing Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos and President Mehmet Ali Talat, in the presence of UN Under-Secretary for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari, Schlicker said “the agreement is there and it’s a vehicle to be used.”
Mr Schlicker also said it is necessary to re-start the negotiations process as soon as possible.