A Historical Step in Cyprus

Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, has called the opening of the Green Line for citizens from both communities in Cyprus "a step, of historic proportion, towards a settlement of the Cyprus issue".

"In a speech during my visit to Cyprus in January 2003, I called upon Mr Denktash to open the Green Line and let the Cypriots come together", Mr Schwimmer said in Strasbourg.

"For an old friend of Cyprus like myself this is a very emotional moment. One of the hopes of every good European has now been realized. I am confident that the opening of the Green Line will create an irresistible momentum and that we shall see a settlement of the Cyprus question in the very near future."

Mr Schwimmer said that in order to support the drive towards a solution, the Council of Europe envisages inviting leaders from all Cypriot parties to Strasbourg, so that they may renew their commitment of co-operation in finding and implementing a settlement.

The Secretary General added that "it is also very important that Europe now supports the process of reconciliation in Cyprus, in order to put any political solution on a stable basis in the hearts and minds of Cypriots".

The Council of Europe is planning to organize, very shortly, a seminar on a strategy for national reconciliation in Cyprus drawing on different European experiences. This meeting could be organized in the northern part of the island. (NM)