Cypriot Greeks Demand Recognition for ‘Yes’

"Turkey should know that when it decides to negotiate with 25 EU members, it cannot neglect one of them; it cannot neglect some part of the EU by invading this land", said Khristofyas.

The AKEL leader invited greater cooperation between the Greek Cypriot government and the Greek administration on this essential condition for talks with Turkey. "We have to unite our powers to condition Turkey to recognize Cyprus (Greek) when deciding Turkey’s membership negotiations in December".

The Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yannis Valinakis, responded, "Athens’s aim is not to veto the decision for Turkey’s membership negotiations with the EU". Valikanis affirmed both Greek policy and the recommendation by the EU, "The government said that unless there is a change in the Turkey’s foreign policy, it could not be an EU member. Also the EU report, which will be the main criterion for Turkey’s membership decision in December, says the same thing".