CYPRUS: The UN and the Greek Cypriots are set to open talks about talks next week with the intention of reviving efforts to reunite the divided island. A Greek Cypriot team is due to travel to New York and UN under-secretary general Sir Kieran Prendergast is expected to undertake an exploratory mission to Cyprus.
A sudden thaw occurred in the relationship between Cyprus president Tassos Papadopoulos, UN secretary general Kofi Annan and Turkish premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan when the three met on Monday in Moscow on the sidelines of second World War victory celebrations.
The change was revealed by Mr Erdogan on arrival in Ankara. He stated: "Annan said a new peace process can be launched and I saw that the Greek Cypriot side was not negative to this idea." Last April Mr Annan suspended the UN's effort to resolve the Cyprus problem after 76 per cent of Greek Cypriots rejected the UN plan for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation; 64 per cent of Turkish Cypriots accepted the plan.
Angered over the Greek Cypriot rebuff, Mr Annan has refused to convene fresh negotiations until Mr Papadopoulos puts forward his amendments to the framework.
He argues that major changes must be made if a functional, viable state is to be established. The Greek Cypriots have refused to meet Mr Annan's demand, saying they will table their amendments once negotiations begin.
Mr Erdogan said the secretary general is prepared to move forward while there seems to be "a change in the Greek Cypriot administration's stance vis-a-vis prospects for launching a new initiative". He plans to discuss Cyprus during a visit to the UN early next month.
On his return to Nicosia, Mr Papadopoulos said he feels "some sort of satisfaction that . . . Erdogan has acknowledged that our side, sincerely and consistently, is seeking to find a political settlement". He revealed that he and Mr Annan "had a very good meeting in a very good climate. There was mutual understanding of the positions each side has outlined as far as procedural matters are concerned. But let us not rush to welcome the resumption of some kind of initiative. There is still a long way to go before a new round of [ direct] talks is properly prepared."
Turkish Cypriot foreign minister Serdar Denktash pledged to match Greek Cypriot moves.
European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn commences his first visit to Cyprus today "to establish dialogue with all partners". Both sides want the EU to play a larger role in the search for a solution. Ankara would like to achieve progress before it begins accession talks in October.
Cyprus, as an EU member, could veto the entry of Turkey which has occupied the northern third of the island since 1974.
