Secretary-General's press encounter after meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan (unofficial transcript)

[Recep Tayyip Erdogan] and I have had a very constructive discussion on the issues of Cyprus and Iraq. On Cyprus we both realize the urgency to move ahead and try to come to an acceptable settlement as quickly as possible.

We have a unique window of opportunity to try and get united Cyprus into the European Union. That is why I am here despite the urgent crisis of Iraq that the United Nations is dealing with right now.

We have been discussing and searching for a settlement for a long time. The issues are well known; we have had intensive consultations with the parties. Ever since I first put down a plan, we have been in discussions with them. And my envoy, Mr. Alvaro de Soto, has also been speaking to Mr. [Tassos] Papadopoulos, the new Greek Cypriot Leader, since his election on the 16th, and we hope that with good will and determination we will get an agreement and not miss this unique opportunity. We've been discussing the plans with them, we know their concerns and their worries and they also have the sense of what to expect from me and what we have in mind. I will be giving them a fresh document in the next day or so.

On Iraq we both share the view that Iraq must disarm and must honor its obligations to the Security Council and do it urgently and speedily. We also all agreed that the Security Council should work together and find a way forward. And we believe that even at this stage war is not inevitable.

Teºekkür ederim. [Thank you.]