Greek Cypriots does not expect a peace deal

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Greek Cypriot government does not expect a peace deal and referendum on the Cyprus issue, a spokesman said on July 14th.



"As things stand now, with the positions tabled by the Turkish side, and nothing changes, we don't see how it's possible for a settlement to be agreed on and put to a referendum by December. That's why we call on the Turkish side to change its stance", Greek Cypriot government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou told reporters, Cyprus News Agency reports.



Stephanou called on Turkey to change its stance and pointed out that he is not in a position to decide now whether the negotiations will have "a happy ending", while assuring of the determination of the Greek Cypriot side to achieve an agreed solution.



His remarks came a day after Turkish President Abdullah Gül told a joint news conference with Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat that Turkey wants peace negotiations aimed at reunifying the divided island of Cyprus to conclude soon and a referendum by the end of 2009.