Annan: Come to an Agreement in March
Meanwhile, Cypriot-Greek side Leader Tasos Papadopulos, due to meet with Annan today in Brussels, announced yesterday that they would abide without any preconditions should they be called upon to resume negotiations. Papadopulos spoke yesterday at the European Council Parliamentarians Assembly’s general body session and suggested that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s approach concerning a frame agreement and taking that to a referendum is contradictory to the spirit of the Anan plan. Papadopulos elaborated that he would have the opportunity to better understand Turkey’s stance about the Cyprus issue after his meeting with Annan. He said that he hopes the Turkish side will show the political will power to reach a solution within the Annan plan’s parameters.
On the other side, Annan organized a press conference in Brussels with E.C. President Romano Prodi and the Commission Member Responsible for Foreign Affairs Chris Patten. The Secretary-General said that in the event both parties show the will to agree, a solution would likely before May 1. Annan reminded that only he had authority to make changes to his plan and that in the event of an agreement in March and a referendum in April, it is possible that upon unification the Island would access to the European Union (EU) on May 1.
Annan responded to a question about when he would summon the parties to the negotiation table with the revelation that he left the meeting with Erdogan in Davos as very pleased and he would seriously consider the suggestions proffered by Erdogan. He said that he will reach a decision about the date for negotiations after meeting TRNC President Rauf Denktas and Papadopulos.
Meanwhile, President of the E.U. Council of Ministers Jacques Poos defended that the mediator in the Cyprus issue should be from the E.U. not from the U.S. Speaking to the EUNews Internet site Poos said: “Turkey and Cyprus are both European countries. The issue has to be resolved within Europe.” Poos defended that the solution based on the Annan plan need to be reached and that the essence and spirit of the Plan should not be changed.”
Finally, Annan met last evening with E.U. High Representative Javier Solana and will meet today with the European Parliament (EP) President Pat Cox.
