Foreign Minister Özdil Nami met yesterday with Gianni Pittella, President of the European Parliament Socialists and Democrats Group, within the framework of his contacts in Brussels.
Foreign Minister Nami informed Pittella that the Cyprus negotiations have reached an impasse with the withdrawal of the Greek Cypriot leader from the negotiating table, and called on the European Union to take initiatives to enable the negotiations on the Island to recommence. Nami further stated that it is unacceptable for the negotiations to be suspended for any reason, that the raised tensions in the region stem from the unilateral actions of the Greek Cypriot side, and that Greek Cypriot Leader Anastasiadis should be persuaded to return to the table so that the Cyprus issue, which is at the root of the current impasse, can be resolved.
Foreign Minister Özdil Nami also met with high-level officials from various political groups within the European Parliament, such as the Greens, Conservatives and Reformists and Christian Democrats, and voiced the responsibilities of the European Parliament in order to overcome the current impasse. Nami underlined the significance of the Parliament becoming organized in a way which would contribute to the comprehensive settlement negotiations, and the importance of refraining from displaying unilateral approaches.
Foreign MinisterÖzdil Nami and his delegation will continue their contacts in Brussels today.