Turkey unveils Cyprus proposal
Athens and Nicosia offered muted responses yesterday to Turkey’s proposals for a solution to the Cyprus issue and its suggestion that all sides regroup for talks on the issue by June. «We will examine this proposal very carefully,» said Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis. «At first glance it does not seem different from past efforts.» Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou labeled the plan «reheated food» and accused Ankara of trying to «create impressions.» Ankara’s plan proposes the opening of Turkish ports and airports to Greek-Cypriot ships and planes in return for the lifting of restrictions on the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus. The plan also calls for a high-level meeting within the next five months with representatives of Greece and Turkey as well as the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. «The time has come to move forward all together, leaving behind restrictions and confrontation,» said Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. He said the plan was also handed to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Meanwhile, British Foreign Minister Jack Straw arrived in Cyprus yesterday as Nicosia and Athens played down the significance of his trip in relation to the reunification of the island. Reacting to a UN statement hailing Straw’s effort to visit Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, Iacovou said he was surprised by the praise since he did not consider the British diplomat to be on a special mission. Athens said Straw was simply coming to Greece as part of a «working visit.»
