Nicosia expects from Ankara to display political will during contacts with Jane Holl Lute, the UN Secretary-General’s envoy, Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said on Wednesday.
 
Lute, met earlier this week with the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, in an effort to formulate the terms of reference to pave the way for the resumption of settlement talks. It was announced that Lute would also seek contacts with the guarantor powers.
 
Replying to questions after a Cabinet meeting, in Nicosia, Prodromou also said that the President Anastasiades will contact the Greek Premier Alexis Tsipras once he concludes his visit to Turkey, to learn about the discussions he had with Turkish President Erdoğan regarding Cyprus.
 
Despite the fact that there are big issues between Greece and Turkey “dialogue is a positive sign,” he said.
 
Asked about Tsipras’ statements on Cyprus, during a press conference on Tuesday, in Ankara, Prodromou said that they show that “Greece is ready for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue, as is the Greek Cypriot side, on the basis of UN decisions and resolutions.”
 
As Tsipras conveyed during his meeting with Erdoğan, we look forward to the resumption of settlements talks the soonest possible, he added.
 
The Government Spokesman also noted that Greece has clarified its positions on security, saying that it does not want to continue being a guarantor power in Cyprus after a settlement. Nicosia expects Turkey to act in a similar manner, Prodromou noted.
 
Asked if he sees a change in Turkey’s stance, the Government Spokesman said that Lute is expected to hold contacts with the guarantor powers, in an effort to formulate the terms of reference.
 
“We look forward to what Turkey will submit during this round of contacts with Lute. Right now, it is not our priority to comment on public statements. What matters is Turkey to make a positive proposal and display political will throughout the effort of the Secretary-General’s special envoy.”
 
Asked about the preparatory meetings between Greece and Turkey on security, which the Greek Premier brought up in his statements in Ankara, the Government Spokesman replied that Greece has already stated its position clearly, since the talks in Crans Montana.
 
Taking into account the position of Great Britain on the issue of guarantees “we also expect Turkey  to adopt at some point a similar constructive attitude” Prodromou said.
 
The Government Spokesman was also asked about cooperation between Cyprus and France, following a recent visit by the French Ambassador at the Mari naval base and the “Andreas Papandreou” airbase in Paphos.
 
He said that the Republic of Cyprus facilitates friendly countries, including France, an EU partner, both in naval and aviation matters. The visit of the Ambassador falls within this framework, he added.
 
Prodromou said finally that deliberations to upgrade bilateral relations with Paris are underway. “We have a very good cooperation, reinforced by the presence of French interests in the energy sector,” he said adding that once there are concrete results, they will be announced.
 
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