'Unthinkable' for Turkey to join EU without recognising Cyprus - Hungarian president

HUNGARIAN President Ferenc Madl said it was "unthinkable" for Turkey to start European Union entry talks without recognising the Republic of Cyprus, the Cyprus News Agency reported.

Madl made the remark in a joint news conference with House Speaker Demetris Christofias who is leading a parliamentary delegation on an official visit to the country.

Christofias said he spelled out to Madl and Hungarian Foreign Minister Ferenc Somogyi the reasons that led the Greek Cypriot community to reject the Annan plan in the April 24 referenda.

He also discussed Turkey's bid to join the European Union.

The House Speaker described his meetings as very important and noted a mutual willingness to strengthen bilateral ties in the fields of politics, economics, tourism and culture.

Christofias said the Cyprus problem was discussed in depth and that the parliamentary delegation explained the government's positions.

Willingness

The delegation underscored the willingness of the Cypriot people to find a solution as quickly as possible based on a revised Annan plan.

Delegation members also conveyed the need for a new initiative for a Cyprus settlement in the immediate future.

On Turkey, Christofias said Budapest and Nicosia agree on Turkey's European course and added that the Hungarian President said it was unthinkable for Ankara not to recognise the Republic of Cyprus before starting entry talks

Christofias said Somogyi agreed with the European Commission's preconditions on Turkey starting entry talks, particularly the implementation of the Copenhagen political criteria.

Earlier, Hungary's European Integration Affairs Committee Chairman Matyas Eorsi hosted a lunch for the Cypriot delegation.

Christofias is scheduled to hold separate talks with Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Zsolt Nemeth and his Hungarian counterpart Katalin Szili.