Greek Cypriot opposition leader to meet Gul

The leader of the main opposition party from Greek Cyprus is to meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul in Ankara Thursday.

Nikos Anastasiadis, who is the leader of the Democratic Mobilisation Party (DISI), arrived in Istanbul with a delegation of Greek Cypriot politicians Wednesday, one of the first such groups to ever visit Turkey.
Anastasiadis said that the visit was a reflection of his party’s policy of working together to find a solution to the dispute on the island and that he was committed to supporting efforts to resolve the problems.
“The Greek Cypriot side’s full membership of the EU did not bring unity,” he said in an address at the Sabanci University Wednesday. “The Greek Cypriots’ rejection in the referendum does not mean an objection to a solution.”
Anastasiadis also said that he was in favour of Turkey joining the EU. “With Turkey’s EU membership, we will give a message to
those who want a Christian Europe,” he said. “We well give them the message that different religions and cultures can exist together.”
Also speaking on Wednesday Foreign Minister Gul said that, while not yet prepared to give official recognition to the Greek Cypriot administration until a lasting settlement to the dispute on the island could be found, Turkey was ready to engage in discussions with the Greek Cypriots.
“We will not shy away from dialogue if this can contribute to a settlement,” Gul said.