Athens, 19 October 2009

Mr. Christofias: It is a great pleasure to welcome the new Prime Minister of Greece, my friend George Papandreou, to Cyprus. On behalf of the Cypriot people, and me personally, I would like to congratulate him on taking up office and warmly wish him all the best with his work at the helm of the Greek government.

I would also like to extend my warm thanks and gratitude, because Cyprus and the Cyprus issue are a personal priority for the Greek Prime Minister and the new Greek government.

It is not the first time that I will be cooperating with Mr. Papandreou. We worked together in the past in difficult times, holding different offices. We forged a friendship that will be the solid background on which close cooperation between us – this time as President of the Republic of Cyprus and Prime Minister of Greece – will be based.

Greece is the main supporter of our efforts towards realising our strategic goal, i.e., the resolution of the Cyprus issue. Harmonious cooperation and continuous contacts between us are imperative, and joint action is necessary.

Today, we discussed the latest developments on the Cyprus issue with the Greek Prime Minister, as well as issues relating to EU-Turkish positions. There was absolute convergence of our views on these issues. Our talks were not limited to discussing merely these issues. We also discussed various regional and international problems of common interest, such as the scourge of poverty, the threat of climate change and the global financial crisis. Our views converged on these issues too, on which we will work jointly. This convergence of views is based on the fact that our common premise is the principle that politics, economics and any form of involvement with public affairs must be human-centered, oriented towards the people's rightful needs.  

As I mentioned earlier, we discussed the Cyprus issue with the Greek Prime Minister. We noted that the international community has recognised our will and readiness to find a solution on the Cyprus issue soon. This is the result of our initiatives and actions, which tangibly prove not only that we want a solution, but that we are pressing for a solution, because the consequences of the invasion and occupation are consolidated as time goes by.

We reaffirmed our commitment to the solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation which is the historic compromise of the Greek Cypriot community. We reconfirmed that the federation will provide for political equality, as stipulated in relevant UN resolutions, and that a united, Federal Republic of Cyprus will have a single sovereignty, a single nationality and a single international personality. This solution is based on UN resolutions regarding Cyprus, on the principles of international and European law and, of course, the High-Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979 between the leaders of the two communities. The solution must provide for the termination of the occupation and settlements, and safeguard the reunification of the territory, people, institutions and economy. It must also ensure and consolidate the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the entire people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike. If the two sides come to the negotiation table in a positive and constructive spirit, if they are guided by UN resolutions and international law, then we can come to a solution soon.

We will continue our efforts towards the resolution of the Cyprus issue with the same determination and the same realism, which is founded on principles. We expect and look forward to the same from the Turkish Cypriot side. The resolution of the Cyprus issue requires, of course, Turkey’s good will and cooperation. Unfortunately, despite statements by the country's leadership that it supports efforts towards finding a solution, so far, it has taken no step in this direction. And not just that. Turkey still has an intransigent stance on both the Cyprus issue and matters relating to its EU accession course. As mentioned in the European Commission’s report, it has not taken steps to comply with the obligations it has undertaken vis-à-vis the European Union. It has done nothing to implement its obligations to normalize relations, recognize the Republic of Cyprus and implement the Ankara Protocol.

As you know, Cyprus and Greece support Turkey's European perspective, but not unconditionally. As is the case with every other candidate country, Turkey’s accession means that it has to fulfill its obligations. Our goal is not to punish Turkey. Our goal is to make the most of the December target date in order to promote the resolution of the Cyprus issue. Turkey has also undertaken obligations vis-à-vis the EU and its member states relating to the Republic of Cyprus and the Cyprus issue; it must fulfill these obligations, otherwise it will not be able to continue its accession course unimpeded.

The Greek Prime Minister and I also discussed our actions leading up to December, and we agreed that decisions on what should be done will be made at the appropriate time, when we can see all our options. Once again, I would like to thank my friend, the Prime Minister of Greece, for his country’s unreserved support and wish him all the best.

Mr. Papandreou: I would like to thank the President of the Republic of Cyprus and my personal friend, Mr. Demetris Christofias, for his warm welcome. As he rightly pointed out, this is not the first time we have worked together. We worked together in the past, in other official capacities. We have a deep, personal friendship. Today, I am here as the Prime Minister of Greece to pursue this cooperation actively. Actively – not with words, but with deeds.

Last night, the Greek Parliament gave my government a vote of confidence. And straight after that, I traveled to Cyprus this morning, on my first official visit. This symbolizes the priority that we are giving to the efforts of President Christofias for a just and viable solution on the Cyprus issue; a solution that has to be within the framework of UN resolutions and be fully harmonized with the community acquis.

I would like to say that I am also very proud of our contribution to the great achievement of the Republic of Cyprus, of the Cypriot people: their EU accession. And as we did then, when we worked closely with the Cypriot leadership, so we will do now, working to resolve the Cyprus issue and many other matters.

The President of the Republic of Cyprus mentioned other issues such as combating poverty, inequality, tackling climate change – in view of the particularly important Copenhagen Summit – and many other issues, on which we will strengthen our cooperation.

Greece and the Republic of Cyprus share a common conviction, i.e., that Turkey's course towards the European Union is to the country’s benefit. I have indeed repeatedly stressed that I am not in favour of a special relationship, but of Turkey's ability, its right to hope that it can become a full member of the European Union. But beyond that right, it must fulfill obligations, very specific obligations; obligations that apply to all the candidate countries that wish to become members of the European family. These obligations stem from repeated EU decisions with regard to good neighbourly relations, relations with all its member states, and also the Cyprus issue.

We need to be able to capitalize on this European framework in the most effective manner. As we pointed out, and as I highlighted in my policy statements, the December European Council is important because it will evaluate precisely this European course on the part of Turkey. It will assess Turkey's actions, to what extent it has fulfilled its obligations, the ones it has undertaken as a candidate country to join the European family, not just vis-à-vis the Union as a whole, but vis-à-vis each member state. And of course, it will be objectively and strictly evaluated. This is the message that I sent to the Turkish people. I said: We want you, we want you as a friendly country, as a people with a right to join the European Union; but I will always be honest. I will always be frank when I speak about the problems that divide us, the problems that we must solve. And the greatest of these problems is that there is still occupation in the Republic of Cyprus. And this is an issue that we will either unite us – if it is solved – or keep us divided.  

We will continue with the same sincerity, always aiming at peace and cooperation between the peoples of the region and at finding a solution on these major issues; a solution that will be just and viable. I want to stress that in this first official meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Demetris Christofias, we decided to continue our close cooperation not just until December – definitely more intensively until December, with contacts at the level of Ministers and officials, so that we can be effective regarding the December decisions – but also to pursue our close cooperation on the major Cyprus issue even after December.

Once again, it is a great pleasure for me to be here with my friend, Demetris Christofias.

Mr. Potamitis (RIK): You have referred to the need to draw up a new roadmap for Turkey’s EU accession course. How is this idea linked to the December rendezvous?

Mr. Papandreou: There isn’t too much that needs to be said regarding the conditions. I think that the goals are very clear. There is a quagmire on this course; a quagmire on Turkey’s course to the European Union. A quagmire concerning matters that we, as the European Union, have raised with Turkey. And thus we need to reinvigorate the process, which will contribute not only to Turkey’s European course, but even more so to the resolution of the major issues, like the Cyprus issue.

That is the basis of the discussion that we had today, so that we can look at how we will handle things, the moves we will make, which will be set within the framework of a roadmap, so that we can be effective, once again capitalizing on this European framework. Because it is a tool that is at hand, and it is there for us to use.

Ms. Bethani (ERT): In the past, Greek-Cypriot cooperation achieved the goal of Cyprus’s accession to the EU. Now, through meetings and cooperation, will it achieve a reunited Cyprus entering the EU?

Mr. Papandreou: Our basic goal and strategy of many years was to make it possible for the Republic of Cyprus to accede to the European Union without being held hostage by the Cyprus problem, as was the view of many member states, who said back then that Cyprus could not become a member of the European Union if the Cyprus problem were not resolved.

We succeeded precisely in overcoming this and providing all the tools we consider important for a European solution to the Cyprus problem: the acquis, which guarantees principles such as human rights, democratic processes and, of course, good neighbourly relations. And these principles certainly do not allow for the presence of occupation forces in an EU member state – particularly occupation forces belonging to a candidate country.

These are the tools that we will use, creating – I hope – a new dynamic in the European Union, which in turn must fulfill its responsibilities to contribute substantially to the resolution of this major problem, which is not just a Cypriot problem: it is certainly an international one. Now in particular, it is also a European problem.

Mr. Christofias: I would like to add something – not to what the Prime Minister said, but a clarification that concerns the question you asked. Cyprus, throughout its territory, is already a member of the EU. What needs to happen with the resolution of the Cyprus issue is what Mr. Papandreou stated: for us to be able to implement – unhindered – the European acquis throughout the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, which will be the united Federal Republic of Cyprus.

Mr. Ketsenis (CNA): Have Athens and Cyprus discussed the possibility of the adoption of an alternative plan if the negotiations on the resolution of the Cyprus issue come to an impasse?

Mr. Christofias: Allow me to say again that alternative plans – dangerous to Cyprus – are being devised by Turkey, which is threatening to implement them if the resolution of the Cyprus issue has not become feasible by April, as Turkey says.

For us, our joint position is firm: that the Cyprus issue must be resolved based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation. A state with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship, one international personality, based on the resolutions of the UN, the high-level Agreements, the principles and values of the EU.

If, by fault of the Turkish side, we do not have a solution for the Cyprus issue, we will certainly launch an international campaign so that the international community not only points its finger at the culprit, but also takes measures. Including the EU, of course.

Nevertheless, our goal is the resolution of the Cyprus issue. And at this time we – both governments – are focussing our attention and energies in the direction of the 27, in order for them to exert pressure and influence on Turkey to be reasonable. To understand that it is in its – Turkey’s – own interest, in the interest of the Turkish people, for Turkey to fulfill its obligations to the Republic of Cyprus and, by extension, to the EU.

I really hope that the message that Greece and Cyprus are both in favour of Turkey’s full accession to the EU reaches Turkey and reaches the Turkish Cypriot community as well, but with the additional note that when all is said and done, we are not masochists. We cannot accept Turkey’s moving ahead unhindered to full accession to the Union without first seeing the Cyprus problem resolved on – as we say – the right basis.

Mr. Papandreou: I didn’t see, nor did we discuss, alternative solutions. I am in full agreement with everything the President said.

Mr. Milionis (ANA): The major thorn in Cyprus’s side is the occupation and the issue of the settlers. What initiatives can you announce – if you can and if you have taken any – to exert pressure on Turkey to withdraw its occupation force from Cyprus?

Mr. Christofias: When we discuss the Cyprus issue with state officials, international officials (in the UN, organizations, Council of Europe) wherever we need to raise the Cyprus issue and whenever we have the opportunity to do so, the first thing we stress is not the differences between the two communities – which remain to be bridged. These differences exist and they must be bridged.

The first thing we stress is that the essence of the Cyprus problem is the occupation, the violation of international law, the violation of European law and any notion of law. It is the violation of human rights on a mass scale. This, at least, is what is stated in the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights.

Consequently, one result of foreign interventions throughout the years – culminating in the Junta’s coup and the invasion and occupation by Turkey – is the internal aspect of the Cyprus problem. And I’m not saying that we Cypriots – Greek Cypriots or Turkish Cypriots – are the innocent doves in this case. There are, there were forces among us that, driven by nationalistic and chauvinistic motives, contributed to and assisted these efforts by foreigners.

Therefore we stress that the first thing that has to happen is certainly the departure of the occupation forces and the settlers, as you mentioned the settlers. During the talks, as you know, I have also raised the matter of a census before the implementation of the solution to the Cyprus problem, so that we can see who are Cypriots and who are foreigners. This works both ways. Are there foreigners here? I tell you there aren’t. From 1960 until today, only 24,000 naturalizations have been granted by the Republic of Cyprus. Most were not granted to persons of Greek origin. Most were granted to people of other nationalities. So our cards are on the table. Show your hand!

Mr. Papandreou: I just want to add that the accession of the Republic of Cyprus and, in fact, as the President said, the whole territory of the Republic of Cyprus, which we achieved, should deprive Ankara of even the slightest motivation – and I say “motivation”, not “excuse”, because there is no excuse – for keeping occupation forces on European soil.

Because accession to the European Union means precisely peaceful coexistence of member states, defence and protection of human rights, a well-governed state, which of course must be reunified and able to function effectively, in a unified manner, in the European Union.

So the Turkish Cypriots, too, know that the perspective we initiated many years ago, as well as the realization of Cyprus’s accession to the European Union, is in the end both the great opportunity and the basis on which a viable and just solution can be found.

And that is why we need to impart fresh momentum to this perspective, and that is what we will do, in close cooperation with the Cypriot government, in close cooperation with my friend, Demetris Christofias.