ANKARA - The negotiations between political directors of Turkey and Greece about the security and guarantorship issues in Cyprus started on Friday.
Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Baki Ilkin and former Greek Ambassador to Turkey Aleksandros Filon head the Turkish and Greek delegations.
Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Ilkin said that there were certain elements in Annan plan which directly concern Turkey and Greece, adding these issues were ''guarantees and guarantorship.''
Ilkin said that political and security issues had to be taken up by Turkey and Greece as the guarantor countries, adding that the negotiation which started the same day was held for the first time, it was a technical and preliminary meeting. Ilkin said that they would review the issues which were covered by the plan together, adding that ''there are some uncertainties which had to be clarified. We will examine if we can do it or not. We will hold the meetings with a constructive mentality.''
Ilkin stated that it was not certain yet whether the negotiations would continue or not.
Filon said in his part that he earlier worked as the Greek Ambassador to Turkey and that he was pleased for coming to Ankara again. Filon stated that they would exchange views about the plan.
Diplomatic and military officials attended the meeting. There is no representative from the U.N. Together with Baki Ilkin, Foreign Ministry's Department of Cyprus Director Ertugrul Apakan and Deputy Director Necip Eguz also attend the meetings.
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou had proposed Turkey and Greece to discuss the plan's parts on security regulations and guarantorship.
(ÖS-AÖ) 21.02.2003