Athens and Nicosia shaped a plan of action in talks held on Friday between Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and visiting Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis.

Speaking after the talks held at the Presidential Palace here, which lasted for over two hours, Bakoyannis said that a useful analysis of new developments was made, following the proposals of the European Commission on Turkey's European prospects.

She said that Greece and Cyprus have continuous cooperation and coordination in their movements, while stressing that "we are at the beginning of long negotiations and great consultations" that will heighten either at the level or foreign ministers or at the summit on December 14.

"Our view is that Turkey, being a candidate member-state, must honor its signature and the commitments that it has undertaken towards the European Union, otherwise Europe must send an explicit and clear message," the foreign minister said.

Bakoyannis recalled the statement made by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis that the European Commission's proposal for the freezing of eight chapters in Turkey's accession negotiations is a basis for discussion.

"From then on, the target is to achieve what we desire during the negotiations," she said, adding "allow me, however, not to announce this now."
Bakoyannis stressed that "Europe is seeking that mixture that will lead its decisions to the best possible result."

Lastly, she made the assessment that "all desire the message to Turkey to be clear."

Source: Athens News Agency

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