Commenting on remarks by Turkish officials, Stephanou said that in order to promote its EU course, Turkey must cooperate for a Cyprus settlement, based on UN resolutions, international law and the high level agreements of 1977 and 1979, and must also meet the obligations it undertook towards the EU and the Republic of Cyprus.
Regarding the meeting scheduled to take place on Wednesday between US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, Stephanou said one would have to wait and see, adding that what mattered was the capacity in which Talat would be received.
Asked about statements by the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer that the Cypriots were responsible to solve the Cyprus problem, Stephanou said the international community was also responsible and had a duty to exert pressure on those obstructing a settlement, namely Turkey, and demand a solution based on UN resolutions and international law.
Financial Mirror, April 14, 2009
