Christofias in Athens

President Christofias flew to Athens yesterday for a working visit with the Greek government. During the visit he will meet with the Greek President Carolos Papoulias, Prime Minister George Papandreou and the President of the Parliament Philippos Petsalnikos. He will also hold separate meetings with political party leaders.

The visit takes place after three days of intensive talks on the Cyprus problem during which proposals were submitted by both sides.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said in an interview that this was a "golden opportunity" for Cyprus and called on everybody to evaluate such opportunities.

He said that the leaders of the sides should close the gaps existing between them with constructive views and indicated that the proposal package Turkey has submitted contains constructive views and unique elements for this gap to be closed.

Adding that “no one should expect unilateral concessions”, he indicated that the timing, method and content of the package was important and that a crucial stage has been reached where the sides should exert all efforts towards finding a solution.

Responding to a question on the issue whether the contribution of the international community to the solution is satisfactory, Mr. Davutoglu said that support should be given to a solution which will bring stability and peace in Eastern Mediterranean and alleged that the “isolation of the TRNC”, as he described the breakaway regime in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus, is something which he cannot understand.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said that we have now reached to a critical turning point in the Cyprus problem and added that a bi-communal two-state federal solution will be found “by the Cypriots for the Cypriots”.

In statements in London this week during a press conference with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, Mr Miliband said Britain has undertaken some commitments in the Island and it will fulfil these commitments, adding that this is also valid for the other two guarantor powers. He noted that 2010 is “a key year for making historic steps” for the Cypriots.

Turkish daily Star Kibris reported that the two ministers “broadly discussed” the Cyprus problem in their meeting with the participation of diplomats in London. Mr Miliband said the future of the island is very important for Europe, the international community and the region. He noted that the United Kingdom will continue to support Turkey’s accession to the EU. Referring to the intensified negotiations in Cyprus, Mr Miliband said they bear great importance and added that every idea which brings a solution will be welcome.

On his part Mr Davutoglu said that an opportunity was missed in 2004 for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem and described the point we have reached now as a “very historic and critical turning point”. He reiterated that the EU has not fulfilled the promises it gave to the Turkish Cypriots for lifting the so-called embargoes on them. He described as “constructive” the package of proposals submitted by the Turkish Cypriot leader in the negotiations, and expressed the hope for a solution to be achieved soon on the island.

Mr Davutoglu added: “The issue has an international dimension as well. Just like it concerns the three guarantor powers, it has an international aspect. Moreover, it also concerns the UN. It is the time for all the international actors to support both Talat and Christofias in the direction of having a result”.

Government Spokesman Mr Stefanos Stefanou said that, as President Christofias has also told party leaders at their meeting last week, he had not discussed the Turkish proposals nor had he accepted them as the basis of negotiation at the intensive negotiations. Commenting on the statement by Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, th e Spokesman said that "obviously, Turkey feels the need to make moves, to play communication games and this is why Mr Davutoglu wants to show that Turkey is ready to submit new proposals”. “Actions are judged not by the actions themselves as such, but by the content of the actions and the content of the proposals. We expect Turkey, just as the European Union expects Turkey, in view of the latest conclusions of its Council, to contribute actively to the solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the UN resolutions, because the role of Turkey is crucial and this is also noted by the European Union itself”