"Nato’s Cyprus Message To The E.U.
Published: 12/16/2005
BY SAMI KOHEN
MILLIYET- There’s a common saying among diplomats about solutions to international disagreements: ‘It takes two to tango.’ In Brussels yesterday we heard this from NATO Secretary-General Jaop de Hopp Scheffer on the Cyprus issue and in favor of Turkey. Scheffer, who will visit Ankara next Monday, talked about the Cyprus issue as part of the dialogue between NATO and the European Union during his meeting with a group of Turkish reporters at NATO headquarters. Interestingly, he said the Greek Cypriot administration and the EU have the responsibility to solve the problem. ‘I’ll explain it like this: It takes two to tango,’ he said. In other words, both parties must make efforts for a solution. We know the result of the [failed April 2004] referendum. Now the solution depends on the Greek Cypriot administration and the EU. I believe that NATO and the EU should work together and complement each other in many fields. I’m worried that the Cyprus issue is a problem. However, I repeat that it takes two to tango. Both the Greek Cypriot administration and EU have responsibility to find a solution. I hope this problem will be solved soon.’ Scheffer considers this obligatory for the NATO-EU partnership. There’s another thing which makes him hopeful: Turkey and the Greek Cypriot administration came together during certain ‘unofficial meetings’ held by the representatives from NATO and EU member countries."
More:Nato’s Cyprus Message To The E.U.
