The government does not believe that anybody in the international community is seeking to link the solution of the Cyprus problem with the economic crisis and energy matters, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides has stated.

Speaking on the sidelines of a visit to the Coptic Orthodox Church in Nicosia, Kasoulides said that everyone realizes that these three issues are independent of each other, acknowledging however that progress in any one of them reinforces the others.

Asked to comment on the issue of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, Kasoulides said that there has not been any progress on that in August, adding that perhaps there will be progress as of September.

“At the moment there has not been any exchange of views with the Turkish Cypriot side”, he said and noted that any kind of public discussion on the domestic front on issues that are not at the negotiating table is utterly unnecessary.

Asked if the international community has sounded out the Turkish Cypriot side about its intentions, the Foreign Minister said so far there has not been any official position from the other side, other than some statements made by the Turkish Cypriot leadership.

Replying to another question, Kasoulides said he is not aware of any letter sent to the UN and the EU from the President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades. “I shall meet the President tomorrow. We have clearly stated that the negotiations on the Cyprus problem, which will resume in accordance with the mandate of UN Secretary General’s good offices, will begin without any terms or conditions”, he concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The latest round of UN-led peace talks was suspended by the Turkish Cypriot side, in July last year. Talks are expected to resume in October.

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