Greece Would Veto EU Enlargement Without Cyprus

by Harry Charalambous, Tax-News.com, Nicosia

09 May 2001

During an official visit by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides to Athens, Greek leaders reaffirmed their support for Cyprus during the EU enlargement process. Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos repeated after his talks with President Clerides on Wednesday that Greece would veto the projected expansion of the European Union if Cyprus was excluded.

"This is the steady Greek stand and needs no reaffirmation," Stephanopoulos said, emphasizing that the accession of Cyprus to the EU is a strategic target for Greece, irrespective of whether there is, or there is not a settlement of the Turkish problem.

The talks were attended by Greek and Cypriot foreign ministers, George Papandreou and Yiannakis Cassoulides and other officials from both sides.

Later, at an official dinner in honour of President Clerides, President Stephanopoulos said that the visit provided an opportunity once more for Greece to assure Clerides "of the decision of the entire political leadership to spare no effort to contribute to the justification of your struggles for a Cyprus free, independent and rid of threats and dangers."

He emphasized that Greece would continue to work towards a settlement on the basis of the Security Council resolutions. "In the face of the complete intransigence of the Turkish side we counter-present the need for the respect of international legality and the restoration of the unity of the island," Stephanopoulos said. He thought that the period after upcoming parliamentary elections in Cyprus might be particularly significant because it is expected that the international community will take action through a UN initiative to reach a definitive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

'The unjust, illegal and unacceptable situation existing in Cyprus today must finally cease,' reiterated the President, 'We shall not compromise with discounts on international legality, under the pretext of pacifying the other side, and so that it may return to the negotiating table."

Greek Premier Costas Simitis also held talks with the Cypriot President, and afterwards rejected criticism of Greek efforts towards a rapprochement with Turkey, declaring these would continue despite the Turkish occupation of north Cyprus. "We don't agree with the view that because Turkey occupies Cyprus we must be in a state of constant tension," Simitis said at the end of his meeting with President Clerides.

"On the contrary, we stated some time ago that we are trying to solve problems through a peaceful procedure which pressures Turkey in the right direction. The biggest and most effective pressure possible to solve the (Greco-Turkish) problems is the pressure that emanates from feelings of goodwill," Simitis said during a joint press conference with Clerides. "Greece will not respond to Turkish bullying threats over Cyprus," Simitis said.

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