Greece insists on withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus

Greece insists that Turkish troops and the system of guarantors need to be abolished for any viable and just solution be reached on Cyprus.

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias reiterated the Greek position at the recent Foreign Affairs Council during a meeting with his British counterpart Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in Brussels where the abolition of guarantees as well as the procedure and the method of the withdrawal of foreign troops from Cyprus were at the centre of their meeting.

“We discussed what happened in Geneva and how we can help so that talks on a solution for Cyprus can continue and achieve positive results. I got the impression that my British colleague has understood better our positions concerning the need to abolish the system of guarantees, as well as the interventionist – and in our opinion illegal – rights of any country to intervene in Cyprus,” Kotzias told public TV channel ERT after the meeting.

“We also discussed the procedure and method for any withdrawal of foreign troops,” he added.

Meanwhile the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has had telephone discussions yesterday with the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres and the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker.

Tsipras discussed the new phase of the Cyprus negotiations which will start in Geneva on January 18.

“In this context, the Prime Minister stressed the commitment of the Greek government in finding a just and viable solution [for Cyprus], on the basis of UN resolutions and Cyprus’ status as a member-state of the European Union. A solution which will eliminate guarantees and ensure the withdrawal of occupation forces, which will benefit all the people of Cypriot, as well as peace and stability in the region,” said the Prime Minister’s office in a press release.