Greek FM: For final settlement of the conflict, Turkey should recognize occupation of Cyprus and leave the island
ArmInfo. 40% of Cyprus Island has been under Turkish occupation for 43 years, Foreign Minister of the Hellenic Republic Nikos Kotzias said at today's joint press
conference with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian in
Yerevan.
Minister Kotzias noted that progress has been achieved on some
internal issues, however, the final settlement of the conflict needs
Ankara's recognition of the occupation and withdrawal of the Turkish
troops from the island.
Mr. Kotzias said that this issue was being discussed at the talks
held in Geneva, but as soon as the need for de-occupation of the
island was stressed, Turkey's representative left the meeting, saying
that he had some urgent business. The Greek Foreign Minister pointed
out that the Turkish side is laying down conditions, which were not
on the negotiating table or which are beyond the competence of the
Cypriot side and concern the Turkey-EU relations. The impression is
that Turkey is deliberately laying down such conditions to divert the
attention from the problem, Mr. Kotzias noted, adding that there are
numerous problems in Turkey, which cannot be settled without
democratic principles.
He said that on the one hand the Turkish authorities are afraid of a
new coup, but on the other hand they neglect others - the matter
concerns Iraq, Syria and other problems.