Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou Marcoullis has met in Strasbourg political groups of the European Parliament leaders and other important MEPs and briefed them on developments as regards the Cyprus problem, Turkey’s threats against Cyprus and of preparations for the Cyprus EU presidency in the second half of 2012.

Marcoullis briefed the MEPs on Cyprus` intensive preparations for its EU presidency and stressed that during that time every possible effort will be made on the part of Cyprus to promote issues such as the Multiannual Financial Framework, financial governance and enlargement whilst at the same time making its own mark with the priorities it has set.

She further spoke of recent developments in the ongoing UN led negotiations which aim to reunify Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974. Until today, she said, the desired progress has not been achieved due to the negative stance of the Turkish Cypriot side, adding that one cannot be optimistic for the immediate future unless the Turkish side changes its position radically