Cyprus-Forum.com

[DT.]

I'm surprised no one has commented yet on what seems to be a historic visit by papandreou to erzerum and his speech to the annual Turkish ambassadors conference with Erdogan.

2 things surprised me here
A) the fact that Papandreou was the guest speaker at was is perceived to be the most critical diplomatic strategy determining conference of Turkey
B) the fact that Papandreous speech was so blunt and honest along with Erdogans mild response to it.

The second for those that missed it included the quotes

"just a day before my arrival in Turkey 8 Turkish jets overflew Agathonisi a Greek island with 120 inhabitants. 8 jets breeched Greeces sovereignty. what for? What is Turkey trying to prove? The Aegeans jurisdiction and sovereignty is not going to change. If we cannot agree to a solution then we should begin the process of determining the solution via the legal route in the Hague."

He then went on to say about Cyprus

" Turkey cannot expect the international community to legalise the invasion nor the European Union to acknowledge and recognise the occupation of Cyprus. The Eu process will not move until the occupation is over."

Diplomats in the room apparently were speechless when Papandreou pointed this out and they were looking at each other in disbelief.

Erdogan on the other hand informed Papandreou that since 52 no senior govt officer has ever visited the patriarch until now under his govt.

They went on to have a 3 hour meeting where I am sure we shall feel the after effects here in Cyprus on what was agreed.

When it came to responding to President Christofias call for a meeting in Istanbul Erdogan stated that Christofias is stuck on titles and when they last met asked Erdogan if he was to sit in a multi party conference with equal representation of the tc's what will be his title. Erdogan said the same title he holds when he meets with eroglu now.

[Afroasiatis]

In my opinion, Giorgakis's speech wasn't really directed to Erdogan, but to greek voters. He's in a difficult situation now internally, and needs to play a little the hard and proud defender of greek sovereignty, to gain some points. Erdogan probably has understanding for this, so there is no reason for him to respond in a non-mild way - he knows that Giorgakis is a man with whom he can do business.

Important is not what they both say publicly in conferences, but what they discuss behind closed doors. Some reports say that they are close to an agreement on the Aegean, but I don't know how much this is true.

[Klik]

Jeffrey is the worst prime minister...

[DT.]

In my opinion, Giorgakis's speech wasn't really directed to Erdogan, but to greek voters. He's in a difficult situation now internally, and needs to play a little the hard and proud defender of greek sovereignty, to gain some points. Erdogan probably has understanding for this, so there is no reason for him to respond in a non-mild way - he knows that Giorgakis is a man with whom he can do business.

Important is not what they both say publicly in conferences, but what they discuss behind closed doors. Some reports say that they are close to an agreement on the Aegean, but I don't know how much this is true.

I agree with you there, Erdogan let him have his day for the Greek voters, wonder what Papandreou did in return though.

[Viewpoint]

Erdogan clearly stated if the EU keep their word by lifting the isolation on the TCs so will Turkey.

[Oracle]

In my opinion, Giorgakis's speech wasn't really directed to Erdogan, but to greek voters. He's in a difficult situation now internally, and needs to play a little the hard and proud defender of greek sovereignty, to gain some points. Erdogan probably has understanding for this, so there is no reason for him to respond in a non-mild way - he knows that Giorgakis is a man with whom he can do business.

Important is not what they both say publicly in conferences, but what they discuss behind closed doors. Some reports say that they are close to an agreement on the Aegean, but I don't know how much this is true.

I agree with you there, Erdogan let him have his day for the Greek voters, wonder what Papandreou did in return though.

I disagree with you!

No one gets away with insulting Turkishness. Why should they have been so generous to Gorgeous George?

[wyoming cowboy]

Erdogan clearly stated if the EU keep their word by lifting the isolation on the TCs so will Turkey.

why would the eu promise to the tc's a lifting of the embargo when the ROC has to agree with it? The EU already had stated that all of Cyprus belongs to the ROC.....you people have no credebility and no sense of your situation..

[Viewpoint]

Erdogan clearly stated if the EU keep their word by lifting the isolation on the TCs so will Turkey.

why would the eu promise to the tc's a lifting of the embargo when the ROC has to agree with it? The EU already had stated that all of Cyprus belongs to the ROC.....you people have no credebility and no sense of your situation..

After the referendum that you morons rejected.

[Afroasiatis]

In my opinion, Giorgakis's speech wasn't really directed to Erdogan, but to greek voters. He's in a difficult situation now internally, and needs to play a little the hard and proud defender of greek sovereignty, to gain some points. Erdogan probably has understanding for this, so there is no reason for him to respond in a non-mild way - he knows that Giorgakis is a man with whom he can do business.

Important is not what they both say publicly in conferences, but what they discuss behind closed doors. Some reports say that they are close to an agreement on the Aegean, but I don't know how much this is true.

I agree with you there, Erdogan let him have his day for the Greek voters, wonder what Papandreou did in return though.

Who knows.. Perhaps nothing concrete, or anything that is relevant to Cyprus. Perhaps assuming that Erdogan himself would like to close the Aegean issues, he's ready to accept some image-selling from Papandreou's side to make such a deal more digestible to the Greek public.

[Bananiot]

Dedicated to Klik, B25, oracle, Lit, Piratis, AEKTZIS, Yialousa ...