Statements by Greek Foreign Ministry Spokesman after 12 hour joint meeting on Cyprus

February 12, 2004 

Beglitis : We had a very important and I would say very hard negotiation this long night. From our part we have worked in a very constructive spirit in order to find a solution on the statement proposed by the Secretary General. We have made many positive proposals in order to meet our common obligation to restart the negotiations for the Cyprus political problem. Unfortunately we have met many problems, I would say from the Turkish side. They have rejected our three proposals which we have submitted, as I said, in a spirit of constructive contribution. I would say, we have had a very, very positive, fruitful co-operation with the Secretary General and his Special Representative Alvaro de Soto . I would say also that Mr. de Soto will be in a position and he can confirm that the Greek-Cypriot side has contributed positively all this long night, searching for a positive outcome of this problem. So we will continue with the same positive approach, with the same spirit tomorrow. We are waiting for the new proposal from Mr. de Soto , from the Secretary General, we will be ready to respond once again with a positive manner as we made tonight. We hope that we can find tomorrow a positive outcome, so that all the parties involved can accept this new proposal from the Secretary General’s side.”

Q: Could you tell us the three points that you wanted included?

A: I would say that we have submitted three alternative proposals concerning the participation of the European Commission in the negotiating process. For us it is a very important point, because the Cyprus Republic is a member state of the EU and we are looking for participation of the European Commission during this negotiating process. So after our proposals, after the submission of our proposal, the Turkish side rejected, as I said, these proposals. In any case we hope tomorrow the SG will take seriously our proposal concerning the contribution of the European Commission.

Q: Mr. Denktash insinuated that it was the Greek side that did not agree and he is ready to go forth, could you elaborate on that?

A: I explained that we made a big effort tonight to find a solution of the problem

Q: Is tomorrow the last day negotiating?

A: Tomorrow we will have the new proposal from the Secretary General, so I don’t think it will be the last day. From our part we will work in full co-operation with the Secretary-general and his Special Representative Mr. de Soto , in order to find a solution on the statement.

Q: What were the other two points? You mentioned the EU, what were the other two?

A: I would say that it’s not three points, its three alternative proposals concerning the same point; the participation of the EU, the European Commission during the negotiating process with its technical assistance, its expertise.

Q: What was the Turkish objection to including the EU?

A: They did not want to mention the role of the European Commission during this negotiating process.

Q: What time tomorrow?

A: We will wait for the new proposal from the Secretary General’s side at 8:30 , and we have the time to respond, we will respond about 11-12 o’clock

Q: You will receive it here?

A: We will say tomorrow morning. We will receive the fax from Mr. de Soto , so we have to study carefully this new proposal and after we will respond I think positively.

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