Greece`s aim as regards the Cyprus problem is for Cyprus to become a normal state, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias has stressed in his address at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.

Kotzias said that this concept adopted by the UN Secretary-General during the International Conference on the Cyprus issue in Crans Montana, provides that Cyprus becomes a normal state without any occupation forces, guarantees and intervention rights by third parties.

The Greek Foreign Minister expressed regret that the Cyprus conference ended in July without an agreement because,he added, the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot sides “were the only participants in the conference that did not want Cyprus to become in fact a normal state without interventions and foreign occupation “.

“Greece is willing to continue the discussion on the main international issue of security and guarantees as soon as Turkey shows a clear willingness to continue the negotiations based on the decisions by the UN Security Council and within the parameters set by the Secretary General in Crans Montana“, he stressed.

Referring to Greek-Turkish relations, Kotzias clarified that progress can only be achieved by respecting international law including  the law of the sea.

He reiterated that good relations between neighbouring countries cannot be promoted by constantly questioning the borders and sovereign rights of Greece on behalf of Turkey, he concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The latest round of UN-peace talks commenced at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana on June 28, but in the early hours of July 7, it was announced that the Conference on Cyprus ended without an agreement. Talks held under the auspices of the UN aim at reunifying Cyprus under a federal roof.