N. KOTZIAS: We agreed on Friday that today we would discuss two questions submitted by Mr. Eide on the security system in Cyprus and, more specifically, on what the prospects will be and what will happen with the current system. We had said that we would look at the mechanism for monitoring and implementation, that we will discuss the questions concerning troops, especially the occupation troops. But the discussion didn't start that way today. It started with procedural matters, and we saw a tendency from some to be in a rush for the Prime Ministers to come. We explained, once again, that a substantial discussion has to be carried out, because we have reached the sixth day of the negotiations and we haven't started the discussion. All sides have submitted texts, and we will be receiving those shortly. We will study them and come back late this afternoon to talk based on everything we will have read. The Greek side maintains its stance that there cannot be rights of intervention. We wrote it again. That the occupation troops must leave. We wrote it again. That a friendship pact has to be drawn up for the cooperation of the states in the region, with an important role for Cyprus itself. That there has to be a Treaty that provides for the manner of and procedure for the withdrawal of the troops. There is also an extensive proposal, which seemed very reasonable to us, from the Cypriot side, regarding the mechanism for monitoring and implementation of what is agreed on. As regards this monitoring and implementation mechanism, Greece is interested and involved as to the point concerning the monitoring of the withdrawal of occupation troops.
JOURNALIST: Regarding what issue was the presence of the Prime Ministers discussed, Mr. Minister?
N. KOTZIAS: There is a certain haste that I used Greek folk wisdom to describe: There are those who want to put the cart before the horse. They should let the negotiation horse do its work, and afterwards we can agree on any cart we want.
JOURNALIST: Does Mr. Eide want this, Mr. Minister?
N. KOTZIAS: There was a thought from various sides in this direction. I think some people are in a hurry, whether because it's difficult for them to negotiate, or because they don't want to negotiate on the particular issue, or because they want to present the Prime Ministers with accomplished facts, or to ensure that the negotiations weren't carried through to the end. The Greek side insists on, wants, is pursuing and working on existing, real results and a solution to the Cyprus issue. On this criterion, the Greek Prime Minister – in the context of the very good collaboration we have in the Greek government – will decide to come when, in his assessment and in the assessment of our Delegation, we have reached the point where his presence is needed, and not because some parties are in a hurry and don't want to sit for days to carry out a negotiation on the two treaties, of guarantees and troops. This negotiation has to be carried out.
JOURNALIST: Did any discussion take place, or was there simply a submission of documents? Do you have anything on the Turkish proposal?
N. KOTZIAS: No. It submitted its document in an envelope of pretty colour. Thank you very much.
July 3, 2017