Presidential Spokesman Hasan Ercakica, following the news appeared in the Greek Cypriot press to the effect that President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos would meet in ten days, confirmed that a proposal was made by the Greek Cypriot leader.

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot side would seriously consider the proposal brought by the Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos and give its response in the week, Ercakica said: “Since August 2006, President Talat has been reiterating that the two leaders should often meet in order to improve the relations between the two peoples and overcome the problems with regard to the 8 July process, thus he has been issuing calls for such a meeting”. Ercakica said however it was pleasing to see that the Greek Cypriot side has reached to that point at the end of 10 months.

In a statement issued yesterday (8 July), Ercakica announced that the Greek Cypriot side brought a proposal concerning the 8 July Process few days ago but expressed disappointment that the proposal was immediately leaked to the Greek Cypriot press.

He said this reflected the Greek Cypriot side’s insincere attitude towards the 8 July process and the fact that it is handling the process as a matter for internal politics. Ercakica said despite these, the proposal would be evaluated today at a meeting at the Presidential Palace and that a response would be given in the week.

The Presidential Spokesman explained that the proposal included similar views expressed in previous proposals tabled by the Greek Cypriot administration and that instead of referring to the basic issues concerning the Cyprus problem, the proposal only concentrated on some issues.

“The proposal envisages a meeting between President Talat and Greek Cypriot Leader Tassos Papadopoulos” Ercakica said, adding that this was the only thing new in it.