Cypriot MPs brief Polish officials on issue

Nicosia, Oct 7 (CNA) --- A delegation of the House of Representatives, members of the Cyprus-Poland Friendship Group, has briefed Polish officials on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and the ongoing direct negotiations between President Demetris Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

The delegation comprises Averof Neofytou, Chairman of the Group and Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the MPs Mavrohannas Klavdios, Andreas Angelides, Roula Mavronicola, and Nicos Koutsou.

The MPs are paying a visit to Warsaw at the invitation of the Chairman of the Cyprus-Poland Friendship Group in the Polish Parliament Andrzej Galazewski.

According to an official announcement, the delegation had a series of meetings with Polish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Piotr Stachanczyk, the Undersecretary of State in the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland Mariusz Handzlik, and the Deputy Minister on European Issues Macies Szpunar.

During the meetings, the Cypriot parliamentarians briefed the Polish officials on the latest developments in the Cyprus question, and the UN-led direct negotiations between the leaders of the island’s two communities, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot.

They also stressed that unfortunately, the negotiating process does not leave room for optimism, despite efforts and constructive proposals by Cyprus President Demetris Christofias. The Turkish Cypriot side maintains an intransigent stance, by putting forward proposals outside the agreed framework for a solution, they point out.

As regards ’s EU accession course, the Cypriot members of the Parliament told the Polish officials that Cyprus supports Turkey’s EU orientation, under the condition that Ankara fulfills its obligations towards the EU and Cyprus.

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus have been engaged in UN-led talks since September 2008, with a view to reunite the island, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Ankara does not recognise the Cyprus government and refuses to meet its EU commitments, which include normalising its relations with and opening its ports and airports to Cypriot vessels and aircraft. CNA/TKE/MM/2009 ENDS, CYPRUS

07/10/2009