Cypriot President Demetris Christofias said that French President Nicolas Sarkozy has condemned Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan`s statements and stance during his recent illegal visit to Cyprus` Turkish occupied areas. “We both believe that Turkey`s and Erdogan`s behaviour is unacceptable, provocative and insulting towards the EU and cannot be tolerated,“ Christofias said.

In a statement after his meeting with Sarkozy, the President said Sarkozy is a friend of Cyprus and a personal friend of him and that it is always a pleasure to have contacts, talks and exchange of views with the President of the Republic of France.

President Christofias said that they exchanged views on the Cyprus question and its course. “I informed President Sarkozy about my meeting with UN Secretary General and (Turkish Cypriot leader) Mr Eroglu in Geneva, on the results of that meeting and I have also informed him that intensified talks have begun“, he added.

“We have extensively discussed about Turkey`s behaviour and especially Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan`s attitude during his last illegal visit to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus. It is our common view that Turkey`s behaviour is unacceptable, it is provocative and insulting towards the EU and cannot be tolerated“, Christofias stressed.

He also thanked the French President for his “crystal clear“ positions on the Cyprus issue.

“These positions of principle are very important for us, because France is a steadfast friend of Cyprus, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a country that plays a key role in EU affairs,“ he added.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu are engaged in direct talks, under the UN auspices, with a view to finding a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country under a federal roof. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.

The President also said that he informed the French President about the explosion at the naval base in Mari, near Limassol, and that the French President expressed the intention to support the Republic of Cyprus with technical experts to address the energy crisis due to the huge damage at Vasiliko electicity power plant.

A massive explosion occurred on July 11th, at the Naval Base “Evaggelos Florakis“ in containers, full of munitions, which Cyprus had confiscated from “Monchegorsk“, a vessel sailing from Iran to Syria in 2009. Nicosia was acting in accordance with UN sanctions against Teheran.

The explosion killed 13 people and caused huge damage to the island`s main electricity power plant at Vasiliko, which resulted in regular power cuts.

Cyprus President said they also discussed about the situation in the Mediterranean and North Africa, noting that they share common positions regarding the need of putting an end to violence in Syria and Libya.

Asked if they discussed issues regarding the Eurozone and the economic crisis in Greece and Cyprus, President Christofias said that President Sarkozy showed his interest in the economic situation in Cyprus, and that he informed President Sarkozy on that.

Invited to say if they discussed the deadly attacks in Norway, Christofias said they did not discuss about all events in the world, adding that they both condemn this hideous crime and that both the people of Cyprus and France stand by the people of Norway