Greek Cypriot leader Christofias makes ports offer to Turkish side

"The Republic of Cyprus offers our compatriot Cypriot Turks who wish to export and import goods, to trade through the free ports and airports of the Republic of Cyprus," he told a meeting of the Council of Europe.

"This is a full official declaration I am making before you," he was quoted by Reuters as saying.

Christofias also said he has called on U.N. and Turkish Cypriot leaders to abolish annual military exercises and to demilitarize Cyprus divided capital city, the AP reported.

Christofias said the moves could increase the chances of success in reunification talks with his Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

The Greek-Cypriot leader spoke to European lawmakers at the Council of Europe on Tuesday.  Â

He said he urged U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last week to back an agreement to abolish the regular military exercises held separately by Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot forces.

Talat also left for Strasbourg on Tuesday to address general assembly meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

Talat is expected to meet President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Yavuz Mildon, and later meet Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Terry Davis.

Talat will also meet Lluis Maria de Puig, the Chairman of PACE. He will meet Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, on Wednesday morning and will deliver a speech on Cyprus problem  in the PACE headquarters.

Talat will meet Jean Paul Costa, European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) President, and later leave for Cyprus.

Talat will be the Turkish Cypriot leader to ever address the PACE General Assembly. The PACE allowed Turkish Cypriots to attend its General Assembly meetings with observer status, after Greek Cypriots' rejection of the Annan Plan in twin referendums.

Photo: Reuters