Foreign minister Petros Molyviatis on Thursday briefed President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on current developments in foreign policy issues.

Replying to press questions after the meeting concerning statements made Wednesday by British foreign secretary Jack Straw, Molyviatis said that Greece's and Cyprus' position on the matters broached was well known: "We advocate a solution that will reunite the island, and are in favor of the economic reinforcement of the Turkish Cypriots, provided the Cypriot principles on this matter are respected. If there is any isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, that is due to the (Turkish) occupation (of the northern part of Cyprus)".

Asked to comment on his meeting Wednesday with US ambassador in Athens Charles Ries and whether the phone-tapping issue was discussed, Molyviatis replied that "we have nothing to discuss with the US on this matter".

Referring to the phone-tapping issue in general, Molyviatis said that "the Greek diplomatic and consular authorities have standing orders to assist every Greek citizen who approaches them with a lawful request".

Questioned on the prospect of a government reshuffle, the foreign minister said "I shall not be the one to make statements on a matter that is at the exclusive discretion of the prime minister".

Source: Athens News Agency

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