Tassos Papadopoulos with Silvio Berlusconi in Rome yesterday

PRESIDENT Papadopoulos flies back to the island today from Rome where he sought the support of Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi in the "difficult times and decisions" that lie ahead.

He did not elaborate but reports suggest he urged the Italian premier to use his friendly relations with the Turkish government in order to press for some moves to satisfy Cyprus at the EU summit next month.

Papadopoulos described his meeting as very interesting and useful but refused to state what Berlusconi's response was.

"We explained our positions and asked Mr Berlusconi for his support in the difficult hours and decisions that lie ahead in the near future", the Cypriot leader said.

Nicosia wants Turkey to recognise the Cyprus Republic and set a timetable for the withdrawal of its occupation troops from the island, as part of "normalising" relations with an EU member state.

Veto right

President Papadopoulos refused to state yesterday whether Cyprus would exercise its veto right, when the EU leaders vote next month to set a date for the opening of accession talks with Turkey.

He repeated that a decision would be taken at the last moment, after reviewing all developments and trends, and especially the progress towards a solution to the Cyprus problem.

But Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul both stated this week that recognising the Cyprus Republic was "not on the agenda" for the December 17 summit.

Erdogan and Gul, who have been on a diplomatic charm offensive designed to win sceptics in Europe about admitting the large Muslim country, also defiantly declared Turkey did not plan to reduce the number of troops it keeps in Cyprus since the 1974 invasion.

Nicosia and Athens have also launched a diplomatic campaign in EU capitals to explain the need for Turkey to meet certain conditions and obligations towards the EU and Cyprus, prior to the December 17 European Council meeting.

Papadopoulos said yesterday "My job and my duty is to try to explain as convincingly and completely as I can, our positions to as many governments as possible, whether they are considered friendly or hostile. The response we had, I believe, provess that this effort is necessary".

Meanwhile, Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis stressed to counterparts in France, Holland and Luxembourg that setting a date for Turkey to resume accession negotiations is not the end of the process.

There are other stages, and every new step entails Turkey's adjustment to European reality, Molyviatis said.

"European reality is not compatible with war threats, or use of force of one candidate state against another one which is a member state," he added.

Yesterday, Papadopoulos also met with Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Pier Ferdinando Casini, Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and Senate President Marcello Pepa.

On Wednesday evening, Papadopoulos bestowed Gustave Selva, head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian House of Representatives, with the insignia of Grand Commander of the Order of the Merit of the Republic.

Describing him "an authentic friend of the people of Cyprus who considers the Cyprus problem his own affair too", Papadopoulos said:

"You have stood by us at critical and decisive times, a firm friend, valuable advisor...you have supported the implementation of international law principles and European values to end the anomaly and anachronistic situation which for 30 years now is putting the whole of the people of Cyprus to a test."

He also thanked Selva for "substantially contributing to Cyprus' efforts to join the EU, an effort which was fully successful".

The President once again assured the Italian officials that he will continue fighting for a "functional" and "viable" solution that will secure the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all Cypriots.

Bilateral relations

Foreign Minister George Iacovou and Commerce and Industry Minister George Lillikas, who accompanied the President to the Italian capital, also had meetings in a bid to futher strengthen bi-lateral relations.

Iacovou and deputy Foreign Minister Roberto Antonione signed agreements for bilateral cooperation on enviromental and maritime issues.

The agreement on the environment provides for exchange of information and cooperation in sea environments both inside and outside the EU.

Lillikas held talks with Foreign trade Department deputy minister Adolfo Urso who visited Cyprus last April.

The two sides examined bilateral trade and economic relations and investigated opportunities for expanding cooperation.

Lillikas also met with Italian business people interested in ventures in Cyprus.