NICOSIA, Jan 25 (AFP) - President Tassos Papadopoulos said Tuesday the Greek Cypriots were ready to renew UN-brokered peace talks with the Turkish Cypriots on this divided island if the European Union (EU) contributed to the process.
"We continue to be ready and willing for a resumption of talks always under UN auspices, and we seek more active engagement and contribution on behalf of the European Union," he told reporters before flying off to Athens.
Papadopoulos was to hold talks with Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on efforts to solve the island's decades-old division and coordinate strategy on Turkey's EU membership drive.
"We are in continual consultation with the Greek government and we often meet to coordinate and evaluate anticipated developments and possibilities," said the Greek Cypriot leader.
In December, the EU gave Turkey the green light for accession talks starting on October 3, 2005, on the condition that it makes a diplomatic gesture to the Greek Cypriots on the issue of recognition.
Cyprus, which joined the EU last May, has been divided since 1974 when Turkey seized the northern third in response to an Athens-engineered coup in Nicosia aimed at uniting the island with Greece.
UN-brokered talks on reuniting the island shortly before last year's EU enlargement failed to secure a deal, with UN chief Kofi Annan's plan overwhelmingly rejected by the Greek Cypriots in a referendum.
Annan has made clear he will not endorse any new Cyprus initiative unless he believes there is willingness from both sides to broker a final peace accord.
01/25/2005 14:33 GMT - AFP