Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

delegation from the European Parliament’s Liberal Group is holding a series of contacts in both sides of Cyprus on the latest developments regarding the progress at negotiations.

The EP delegation consists of MEPs Jelka Kacin, Johannes Lebech, Karin Resetarits, Andrew Duff; policy adviser Rune Glasberg and assisstant Lorella Lorenzetti.

Members of the delegation were received by President Mehmet Ali Talat at noon today.

The Greek Cypriot MEP Marios Matsakis joined the group at the meeting that took place at the Presidential Palace.

Among those attending the meeting also were the Republican Turkish Party MP Salih Izbul and the National Unity Party MP Hasan Taçoy- who have been attending the group studies of socialist and liberal groups based at the European Parliament under an observer status.

Shortly speaking to reporters at the end of the meeting with President Talat, Karin Resetarits said the aim of their Cyprus visit was to talk to the two leaders of the island about the progress achieved at full-fledged peace talks.

Making discussions on how EU representatives can contribute to a fast, reasonable and good solution of the Cyprus problem was another goal of the Cyprus visit, she added.

Resetarits also expressed the hope towards reaching a settlement in Cyprus by the EP elections in June 2009.

Some other few words came from the Greek Cypriot MEP Matsakis.
“The time has come for reconciliation” Matsakis said, adding that what matters is to look into a future in Europe rather than looking into the past.

Later the EP delegation was received by Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister and the Leader of the Freedom and Reform Party Turgay Avci at the party headquarters.

The liberal group then held a meeting with President Talat’s special advisor for negotiations Ozdil Nami.

EP members will continue their contacts tomorrow.

[halil]

delegation from the European Parliament’s Liberal Group is holding a series of contacts in both sides of Cyprus on the latest developments regarding the progress at negotiations.

The EP delegation consists of MEPs Jelka Kacin, Johannes Lebech, Karin Resetarits, Andrew Duff; policy adviser Rune Glasberg and assisstant Lorella Lorenzetti.

Members of the delegation were received by President Mehmet Ali Talat at noon today.

The Greek Cypriot MEP Marios Matsakis joined the group at the meeting that took place at the Presidential Palace.

Among those attending the meeting also were the Republican Turkish Party MP Salih Izbul and the National Unity Party MP Hasan Taçoy- who have been attending the group studies of socialist and liberal groups based at the European Parliament under an observer status.

Shortly speaking to reporters at the end of the meeting with President Talat, Karin Resetarits said the aim of their Cyprus visit was to talk to the two leaders of the island about the progress achieved at full-fledged peace talks.

Making discussions on how EU representatives can contribute to a fast, reasonable and good solution of the Cyprus problem was another goal of the Cyprus visit, she added.

Resetarits also expressed the hope towards reaching a settlement in Cyprus by the EP elections in June 2009.

Some other few words came from the Greek Cypriot MEP Matsakis.
“The time has come for reconciliation” Matsakis said, adding that what matters is to look into a future in Europe rather than looking into the past.

Later the EP delegation was received by Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister and the Leader of the Freedom and Reform Party Turgay Avci at the party headquarters.

The liberal group then held a meeting with President Talat’s special advisor for negotiations Ozdil Nami.

EP members will continue their contacts tomorrow.

EROGLU RECEIVED EP LIBERAL DELEGATION

The next leg of the EP group’s visit was at the National Unity Party.
In his statement, the new UBP Leader Dervis Eroglu said he has the hope for Talat and Christofias to come up with an agreement envisaging a new formation at the end of negotiations but noted that they are not in favour of an agreement which includes single sovereignty.

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side’s unilateral EU membership is encouraging intransigence, Mr Eroglu said `It’s impossible for us to accept a solution which will be forcing us to live under the roof of the Republic of Cyprus`.


Making a statement upon the EP Liberal Group’s visit, Mr Avci reiterated the Turkish Cypriot side’s desire for a full-fledged solution in Cyprus- which he said was already proved during the 2004 referenda-, expresing the hope that the EP delegation’s visit will be beneficial towards that goal.
Referring to the negotiations process, Avci said some progress has been achieved in the process, adding that he would like to see the opportunity for the two leaders to come together more often.

MEPS CAME TOGETHER WITH FM AVCI

Avci stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side wants a lasting and just political settlement on the island and this is what they are working hard on.
`We do not want a settlement that is going to be dissolved after a short while and therefore, the solution must be built on a very strong base. It is advantage for the two leaders to know each other well and for this reason, negotiations might make more positive progress compared to the past ones` the Foreign Minister said.