Turkey’s EU accession bid is positive as long as the country fulfils its obligations towards the EU and Cyprus, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said yesterday.

Mr Papadopoulos was answering questions during a press conference addressed by him jointly with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi shortly after a meeting between the two at Castille.

Questions from both Maltese and Cypriot journalists centred on the issues the country has with its neighbour, Turkey. The Cypriot president echoed what Dr Gonzi had said earlier, that Turkey’s EU membership is a positive step, but he cautioned that Turkey must fulfil its duties towards the EU and towards his country.

Dr Gonzi was asked by a Cypriot journalist to comment on a statement made by the Turkish president in which he said that he would never recognise a Cypriot republic. Dr Gonzi said that apart from personal comments that may have been made, Turkey’s EU accession was a positive thing in that it would enhance regional stability.

Cyprus and Malta are at the southernmost tip of the Mediterranean, said Dr Gonzi, and given recent positive developments in North Africa and the Middle East, both countries can play a more prominent role as EU members.

Mr Papadopoulos also pledged his country’s support with regard to Malta’s bid to house the Mediterranean Fisheries Commission. “Cyprus supports Malta’s bid to house the fisheries commission based on its merit,” he said.

On the subject of financial matters, Dr Gonzi said that the two countries share common ground including on the new EU financial perspectives for the years 2007 to 2013.

“We have a common position on the EU budget: that all efforts should be made for it to be concluded in the shortest period,” he remarked.

The talks included discussions on the issues Cyprus has with Turkey and irregular immigration, which Dr Gonzi said is another area of concern for both countries.

Dr Gonzi and Mr Papadopoulos also discussed the entry of their respective country in the Eurozone. Cyprus has recently published its strategy, Dr Gonzi commented, adding that he hoped Malta will soon set a target date for joining the euro as well.

“At this point, we have undergone a detailed analysis to be able to take a decision in the shortest time.”

Mr Papadopoulos, for his part, said that Cyprus expects to link its currency to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) in the coming months.