George A. Papandreou : Mr. Kassoulides and I discussed the question of Cyprus’ accession to the EU. We reaffirmed our close collaboration on this matter, both on a ministerial and a national level. Greece actively supports Cyprus in all its negotiations with and integration into the legal framework of the EU.

I think it is important to stress that these negotiations are proceeding normally, and that in terms of the entry process Cyprus is in a stronger position than all the other candidate countries. We are absolutely confident that Cyprus will continue this entry process with the same intensity and that Cyprus has nothing to fear. Greece will always support Cyprus’ efforts to this end.

We also discussed the latest developments regarding the political status quo in Cyprus, and the prospects for finding a resolution, particularly in light of UN Secretary General Kofi Anan’s imminent invitation to both sides to begin negotiations.

We whole-heartedly agree with the position of the Cypriot government and we support all UN Resolutions to resolve the political problem. The framework for this resolution is a given – a framework that has been corroborated by both the G-8 countries and the UN Security Council. It is time now to use this framework to begin substantive talks.

We expect our European partners and the United States to continuously urge both the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Turkey to promote a real solution for Cyprus. It is not enough simply to begin substantive dialogue: we must bring about a final resolution to the Cyprus problem.

I also updated Minister Kassoulides about the latest developments in Greek-Turkish relations and current relations between Turkey and the EU. Here again, both in our approach and our handling of the issue, we are in complete agreement.

The EU Helsinki summit in December will focus not only on Turkey’s candidate status, but on EU expansion in general. The Greek government believes that this expansion process will contribute to regional stability, strengthen democratic and international institutions, such as respect for internationally binding treaties and international borders, and encourage substantive social development. This is why Greece has always firmly supported the initiation of negotiations with the second wave of candidate countries, i.e. our neighbors Bulgaria and Romania, as well as Slovakia, Lithuania, Letonia, and, more recently, Malta. Indeed, we intend to call for a specific date when negotiations with these candidate countries will begin at the Helsinki summit.

At Helsinki, we will also express our strong conviction that all countries of the Balkan region deserve to become members of the EU eventually, including, of course, Yugoslavia. In a sense, we gave this message to the people of Yugoslavia and Serbia the day before yesterday, with the adoption of the so-called ‘Energy for Democracy’ resolution, a joint initiative originally proposed by Greece and Holland. This positive step is another sign that Greece supports the European trajectory of all South East European nations.

As far as Cyprus is concerned, as I said we have worked together consistently to promote negotiations. WE regard the entry of
Cyprus into the EU as a factor that will contribute to greater security and stability in the region overall. It is in the interests not only of Greece and Cyprus, but also of the whole EU. Of course, in conjunction with the entry process we are simultaneously striving to achieve our foremost priority, which is the resolution of the Cyprus problem.

As I mentioned earlier, I had the occasion to inform Mr. Kassoulides of the recent warming in Greek-Turkish relations. The climate between the two countries and our peoples has improved dramatically, especially after the recent earthquakes. On behalf of the Greek government, I would like to thank Minister Kassoulides for the unreserved support and aid, which the Cypriot government sent to the victims of the earthquake in Athens.

The warming in Greek-Turkish relations has generated a positive response among the public and the press. This has brought about a decrease in tension between  the two countries. For instance, Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit recently stated that Turkey has no territorial claims in the Aegean.  At the same time, however, this positive climate does not mean that our long-standing problems can be solved overnight. I think it would be unrealistic to assume this was the case.

Nevertheless, we are being given an important opportunity, our political leaders face a historic challenge, to capitalize on the positive climate that exists today for the first time in several decades. We believe that Greece has met this challenge. Naturally, we now expect reciprocal moves from the Turkish side. Moves that will demonstrate that Turkey has the political will to move forward, to turn over a new page in history, that a new era in Greek-Turkish relations has begun.

I would like to stress that the Cyprus problem is always the first issue that concerns Greek-Turkish relations. No matter how much our bilateral relations improve and advance, they can never be completely restored unless there is real progress on Cyprus.

Mr. Ecevit indirectly but clearly implied that he too recognizes that Cyprus is the crux. As Mr. Ecevit said, although the two sides have a different approach and outlook on a number of issues of mutual interest, despite these difficulties we can find solutions to bilateral issues; but the thorn in the side of Greek-Turkish relations remains the Cyprus problem.

We believe that there is now a window of opportunity that all sides must take up. A series of fortuitous events - this new positive climate, the upcoming OSCE Summit in Istanbul, the imminent visits of Al Moses and Tom Weston, President Clinton’s visit to the region in November, the recent G-8 resolutions, and the EU summit in Helsinki in December – all create a window of opportunity for genuine progress on this thorny issue.

I believe that Cyprus will inevitably play a central role in our negotiations in the light of the EU Helsinki summit. I would like to make it clear that Greece has repeatedly declared its support of Turkey’s candidacy as an EU member. But our vote on Turkey’s candidacy is not yet a given. This will depend on overall developments and our appraisal of these critical issues in the coming weeks, leading up to the December summit.

We have informed our European partners and Turkey of our position on all the above. As I said, there is now a window of opportunity, which I sincerely hope we shall all seize.

In conclusion, I would like to thank my firend and colleague Yiannis Kassoulides for being here today. We will continue to be in
regular contact over the next few months, particularly, but not only, in the run-up to the Helsinki summit.

I have asked Ambassador Sandes, the Greek Ambassador in Rome who participated in previous talks at Glion and Traudbeg, to spend a minimum of three months in Athens, so that he can closely follow any developments and negotiations on the Cyprus issue.

After this rather long introduction, let me now give the floor to the Foreign Minister of Cyprus

Yiannis Kassoulides : Today we had the opportunity to reassess the situation, following our recent talks at the UN General Assembly in New York and the latest developments that have occurred since then. We discussed the resolution of Cyprus and Cyprus’ EU candidacy, as well as Greece’s wider efforts in the Balkans, Greek-Turkish relations and the new dynamic created by this positive shift in bilateral relations, and important forthcoming events including the OSCE summit, President Clinton’s visit, and finally the Helsinki summit.

There is indeed a window of opportunity which we cannot afford to miss, particularly in terms of our efforts to achieve a resolution for Cyprus.  Both our governments have expressed our disappointment about the fact that this opportunity has gradually shrunk; but it is extremely important that we intensify our efforts to capitalize on the international community’s desire to see a just resolution of the Cyprus problem.

I have repeatedly stated that there are currently three independent but parallel diplomatic courses on track: our efforts to bring about a resolution for Cyprus, Greek-Turkish relations, and Turkish-EU relations. These three independent but parallel diplomatic courses are not inter-related, but separate. But any progress in one will inevitably strengthen the other two. If we see issues these as three separate vessels, by the time we reach Helsinki all three should be equally full.

I am glad to say that there is complete agreement about our mutual objectives and the strategy our two governments should follow in order to achieve substantial and simultaneous progress on all three issues.

We intend to continuously assess progress and developments on all three issues, which is why we are here today. We look forward to welcoming Alternate Foreign Minister Mr. Rokofyllos in Cyprus on 31 October to continue this exchange of views.

I hope that George Papandreou will also find an opportunity to visit Cyprus between now and Helsinki, so that we can discuss
developments in person.