Press Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC January 25, 2004
Positive Meeting on Cyprus NegotiationsWe are pleased that United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan is encouraged by the positive meeting regarding Cyprus that he held January 24, in Davos, Switrzerland, with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, in which Prime Minister Erdogan expressed Turkey's strong desire to see Cyprus negotiations resume in order to reach a settlement by May 1. We note that Secretary General Annan indicated his Good Offices Mission is ready for new talks if the parties to the Cyprus issue demonstrate the political will to conclude an agreement, including the holding of referenda, by May 1. Following this encouraging meeting between the UN Secretary General and the Turkish Prime Minister, the other parties should demonstrate to the Secretary General the necessary political will as soon as possible, so that a settlement may be reached in time for a reunited Cyprus to join the European Union on May 1.
2004/79
Released on January 25, 2004
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