Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-09-01

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Joint declaration for peace

[02] European Parliament expects accession talks to begin as planned

0940:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Joint declaration for peace

Describing the status quo as the "basis for provocative actions, friction, conflict and war", the organisations state they consider it their "historic duty to oppose those forces that inhibit peaceful procedures and to work together in order to secure lasting peace in Cyprus."

They stress their aim is the creation of a federal, peaceful and democratic Cyprus which will be common home for Greek and Turkish Cypriots, where human rights will be respected.

"People should be aware of their past but they should not live in the past", the declaration notes, pointing out, that "we must find the way to overcome feelings of hatred and revenge and to make good use of our past experiences in order to build a peaceful future.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1310:CYPPRESS:02

[02] European Parliament expects accession talks to begin as planned

"The Parliament will continue to expect and demand that accession talks will commence in January as has been planned," Ray Collins, said after a half-hour meeting with House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou.

Collins said the House President briefed him on developments in the Cyprus problem following two rounds of direct talks between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in July and August, respectively.

The Euro MP noted that Denktash's introduction of the issue Cyprus' application for EU membership at the second round of talks in Montreux, Switzerland, has "not been helpful" in efforts to find a solution to the problem.

"Mr. Denktash introducing the element of Cyprus' application for the (accession) talks starting, has not been helpful to finding a solution and I think that will be the view of the Parliament," Collins said.

Denktash threatened at the Montreux talks to walk out of the ongoing UN- led Cyprus peace process if Cyprus-EU accession talks begin early next year. Turkey also threatened to integrate the northern part of Cyprus occupied by Turkish troops since 1974.

UN Security Council President Sir John Weston last month expressed the Security Council's disappointment for the lack of further progress at the direct talks due to the introduction by the Turkish Cypriot side of issues outside the scope of the talks.

Collins said he will inform tomorrow Socialist Group President Pauline Green on what he has been told by Kyprianou.

He added that the European Parliament's Bureau is meeting tomorrow to discuss the outcome of the direct talks.

"The issue is obviously very important for the EU and for Cyprus because the discussions on the enlargement of the Union and particularly, the commencement of accession talks with Cyprus is very imminent, so we're very involved," Collins added.

Kyprianou, on his part, noted that he informed the Euro MP on the unfolding situation regarding the connection of Turkey's relations with Europe with the issues of Cyprus' EU accession and the Cyprus problem "which is a complex one and needs to be dealt with".

"Like always, Mrs Green will take charge in the European Parliament to counter Turkey's unacceptable effort which, if not supported, is at least accepted," Kyprianou added.

CNA RM/MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article