Success in Cyprus will help peace in wider region: Papandreu

Finding a solution in Cyprus is important for a region suffering from ethnic and religious conflicts, according to former Greek Prime Minister Yorgo Papandreu. As the statesman who initiated reconciliation with Turkey, his advice to Cypriot leaders is to 'persevere against all hurdles'Finding a solution in Cyprus is important for a region suffering from ethnic and religious conflicts, sending a strong message that there is another model where peace can replace conflict, former Greek Prime Minister Yorgo Papandreu has told the Hürriyet Daily News. 

As the statesman who initiated reconciliation with Turkey as foreign minister in the 1999 with his Turkish counterpart ?smail Cem, Papandreu's advice to the leaders in Cyprus was to "remain committed." 

"Perseverance is necessary," said Papandreu, who was in Turkey to present the inaugural Cem-Papandreu Peace Award. 

You have initiated, together with ?pek Cem Taha, the daughter of Turkey's late former foreign minister ?smail Cem, the Cem-Papandreu Peace Award. You both were instrumental in starting Turkish-Greek rapprochement. In view of the fact that fundamental problems remain unsolved between the two countries, do you think successive governments and leaders have done enough to continue your legacy?

This was something we talked with ?smail, how to continue and multiply the effect. We knew what we were building was a foundation, not the full building. I believe the legacy and the foundation is still there. Could successive leaders have done more? I could say yes, we could all have done more. But we need to continue this tradition. What we see in the region are a lot of problems, a lot of tension, and a lot of internal tension in our countries for different reasons. 

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