Greeks in Unison; ‘European Turkey Beneficial’

Karamanlis said both sides agree that they must keep hopes for a solution alive and unify the Island. The Greek Prime Minister underlined that the Annan plan is still on the table and that both Greek communities view the Turkish initiatives to gain support from the European Union as positive. "We want a just and permanent solution based on the Annan plan that also includes a regulation addressing Greek concerns about security," added Karamanlis.

Papadopoulos, who also shared the opinion that the Annan Plan was not dead yet, said, "My people will decide about the Plan when the time comes." He then defended that it would be impossible to give a timeline for a solution at present because resolving the issue does not just depend on Greek Cypriot wishes and initiatives.

When he was asked about whether or not they would veto Turkey’s bid to start membership discussions with the E.U., Papadopoulos replied, "I have explained our stance in the subject before. A European Turkey is for our benefit; however, it is with the condition that it follows E.U. jurisprudence as well as the basic rules and principles of Europe."