Nicosia rules out international meeting on reunification
02/03/2010
NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou on Monday (March 1st) rejected any notion of holding an international meeting based on the formula "three plus two" to discuss reunification of the divided island. Ankara proposed the idea last month, suggesting a conference involving Great Britain, Greece and Turkey, along with representatives of the Greek and Turkish communities on the island. "We do not agree with the organisation of any meetings that would undermine the status of the Republic of Cyprus as a sovereign state," Kyprianou said. Britain, Turkey and Greece are guarantors for Cyprus' independence, territorial integrity and security under the 1960 agreement on independence.
In other news Monday, Erato Kozakou Marcoullis and Demetris Eliades were appointed as the new ministers -- respectively -- of communications; and agriculture, natural resources and environment. The pair replaced Nicos Nicolaides and Michalis Polynikis who resigned after their party, the Movement for Social Democracy (KS-EDEK), decided to withdraw from the ruling coalition in February. The KS-EDEK has accused President Demetris Christofias of making concessions to Turkish Cypriots during ongoing reunification talks. (Famagusta Gazette, Cyprus Mail - 02/03/10; CNA, Cyprus Weekly - 01/03/10)
Email to a friend
Print Version 
Kosovo: Impasse at the Border
Energy: Issues and Trends
Changing Perceptions: Women in the Balkans
The Balkans: Going green
We welcome your comments on SETimes's articles.
It is our hope that you will use this forum to interact with other readers across Southeast Europe. In order to keep this experience interesting, we ask you to follow the rules outlined in the comments policy. By submitting comments, you are consenting to these rules. While SETimes.com encourages discussion on all subjects, including sensitive ones, the comments posted are solely the views of those submitting them. SETimes.com does not necessarily endorse or agree with the ideas, views, or opinions voiced in these comments. SETimes.com welcomes constructive discussion but discourages the use of copy-pasted materials, unaccompanied links and one-line slogans. This is a moderated forum. Comments deemed abusive, offensive, or those containing profanity may not be published.
SETimes's Comments Policy