Irish FM hopes for progress in Cyprus issue

Brussels, Jan 20 (CNA) - Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs and chairman of the EU Council of Ministers Brian Cowen expressed today hope that there would be progress in the direction of reaching a solution of the Cyprus problem.

Cowen was speaking before the European Parliament Committee of Foreign Affairs, where he presented the Irish presidency's priorities in the field of external relations.

He said the Irish presidency supports UN efforts to reach a Cyprus settlement based on the twice-revised solution plan proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, before May 1st, when Cyprus will officially become a full member of the EU.