ANKARA - United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro de Soto met on Friday with Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal and Deputy Undersecretary Baki Ilkin in Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
De Soto released a statement after the meeting which lasted two hours and 30 minutes. He said that he came to Ankara for the security negotiations between Turkey and Greece and he added that they took up preparations for the visit of Annan who would come to Ankara on February 23 in the meeting.
Noting that in case of a possible consensus, security issues had a critical importance, De Soto said that all sides regarding Cyprus question accepted security issues as the essence of negotiations. He added ''For this reason, a consensus cannot be provided without security issues.''
De Soto said that reaching a consensus on Cyprus issue could not be delayed any more and added that he expected that security negotiations would show results as soon as possible. He said that he did not know when and where the second part of negotiations would be held but he hoped that it would be held as soon as possible.
Noting that when referendum which would be held in both sides for the membership of ''United Cyprus'' to the European Union (EU) on April 16 were considered, sides should reach a consensus in the end of February, De Soto said that he thought that all the concerning sides would like United Cyprus to access to EU in April. He added ''Thus, the timing of Annan's regional visit is not coincidental.''
Upon a question whether a consensus would be provided until the end of February when Greek Cypriot administration elections and current developments were considered, De Soto said ''It is mainly possible. New Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos has time pressure on him. I met him for long hours. He is aware of the urgency of issue. I hope that we can rely on Papadopoulos, Denktas, Greece and Turkey for taking necessary steps in the coming few days.''
Upon a question on a third Annan plan, De Soto said that he could not confirm that, but it could be possible.
(GC-AY) 22.02.2003