Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis yesterday expressed a view that an effort was under way to resume negotiations for a political solution to the Kosovo problem.
Mr. Kranidiotis was speaking to reporters after two days of meetings in London with foreign politicians and diplomats, including British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, within the framework of events marking the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe.
Mr. Kranidiotis said recent activities of the German presidency of the European Union and Russian diplomacy had created "some optimism" that an agreement will be reached regarding the nature and composition of the international force which must be deplo yed in Kosovo in accordance with a United Nations resolution. Following the deployment of such a force, Mr. Kranidiotis said, talks may recommence on the form of autonomy, "the content, that is, of the solution which must be given for Kosovo".
This means, he added, that the (NATO) bombings must stop, the refugees must return and extreme nationalist elements neutralised.