Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-07-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece thanks Russia over Cyprus

[02] Cyprus Defence leaves for Moscow

[03] 1st January 2003: target date for Cyprus' EU accession

1110:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Greece thanks Russia over Cyprus

The Greek government satisfaction was expressed at meetings yesterday in Athens of Foreign Ministry high ranking officials with Russian envoy on Cyprus Vladimir Tchizhov.

The Russian diplomat had separate meetings with George Papandreou, Alternate Foreign Minister, and Yiannos Kranidiotis, Foreign Under- Secretary.

According to the Athens News Agency (ANA), the Greek government considers that the Security Council resolutions 1178 and 1179 reaffirm the framework in which a solution to the Cyprus problem should be found, in accordance with a series of resolutions adopted earlier by the international body, and the international personality of the Republic of Cyprus.

With the latest resolutions, the Security Council renewed the mandate of the UN peace-keeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for a further six-month period and repeated its support to the good offices mission of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus.

A Greek Foreign Ministry press release said the two sides agreed that the latest UN resolutions "constitute a good basis to undertake initiatives for the promotion of a military dialogue and the reduction of military presence on the island, with an aim its complete demilitarisation".

Papandreou said the Cyprus settlement should be reached within the UN framework and welcomed Russian initiatives for Cyprus' demilitarisation, urging Moscow to continue to support President Glafcos Clerides' proposals on this issue.

President Clerides has proposed the island's complete demilitarisation, envisaging for the dissolution of the Republic's National Guard and the Turkish Cypriot forces and the simultaneous withdrawal of the Turkish occupation troops.

Turkish forces have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their pull- out.

According to ANA, Tchizhov agreed with Papandreou and repeated his country's positions, stressing the need for contacts between the island's two communities, thus defusing tension.

The Turkish occupation regime led by Rauf Denktash has repeatedly blocked rapprochement efforts by people from the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, at various levels, to come together and discuss common problems and anxieties.

CNA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1150:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Defence leaves for Moscow

Discussions between the two ministers will revolve around the 1996 agreement for military and technical cooperation between Russia and Cyprus, Omirou told reporters at Larnaca International Airport.

The Cypriot minister said during their meeting on Friday, the two ministers will also discuss developments in the Cyprus problem, the Cyprus government's proposal for the island's demilitarisation and Moscow's proposals submitted to the UN Security Council towards the same goal.

Omirou pointed out that although Cyprus and Russia differ greatly in size, they have ties of friendship that go back many years and are based on the principles of international law.

He said "both countries are interested in the consolidation of conditions of peace, stability and cooperation in the Mediterranean and the wider region".

The Cypriot minister also said that at this time "it would be particularly useful to have this exchange of views, in order to support efforts that will aim at a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem".

He added, however, that matters of wider interest will be discussed, regarding the implementation of the principles of international law in every regional or local crisis".

Omirou's trip will be followed by a visit by President Glafcos Clerides between July 11-14, at the invitation of Moscow mayor. President Clerides will also meet Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

Russia has fully backed President Clerides' proposal for Cyprus' demilitarisation.

The Cyprus government signed a contract with Russian manufacturers in January 1997 for the purchase of S-300 surface-to-air missiles to bolster the island's air defence in case of a new Turkish offensive. The anti- aircraft missiles are scheduled to be deployed later this year.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

Russian Foreign ministry official Valery Nesterushkin was quoted by ITAR-TASS news agency earlier this week as saying Moscow could scrap the delivery of the S-300s "if efforts aimed at studying a demilitarised status for the island become reality".

However, he stressed that if there was no progress in getting the two sides to reach agreement, the delivery of the missiles would continue as planned.

The same position was repeatedly set out by the Cyprus government, which said the S-300s would not be deployed unless progress was achieved, ensuring a just and lasting solution and leading to the island's complete demilitarisation.

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a second statement regarding statements made by Russian Ambassador to Turkey Vadim Kuznetsov, who said the "delivery of the S-300 systems have been postponed until late autumn..."

The Russian Ministry said the outgoing Russian Ambassador in Ankara was not authorised to refer to the delivery date of the S-300s and that his statements reflected only personal views.

The Ministry said that Kuznetsov was relieved of his duties with a Presidential decree as from July 1, 1998 to take over other duties.

CNA MAN/KN/RG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1200:CYPPRESS:03

[03] 1st January 2003: target date for Cyprus' EU accession

Speaking after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides today, Vassiliou said that the 1st of January 2003 has been set as a guideline for Cyprus' accession, but pointed out that the eventual accession might take place before or after that date.

Vassiliou's meeting with President Clerides was one of a series of meetings for cooperation on Cyprus' EU accession course. He said that they exchanged views on issues concerning European matters.

Responding to questions, the former Cyprus President said that Cyprus would accede to the EU, "as long as we do our work and prepare ourselves" on the "various issues regarding harmonisation" with the acquis communautaire.

Asked when Cyprus is expected to become a full member of the EU, Vassiliou said this has nothing to do with Cyprus, but "with the whole policy of the EU on enlargement".

He added that this was "something much larger than Cyprus" and that would be determined "according to the general interests of the EU".

Vassiliou pointed out that although the 1st of January 2003 has been set as Cyprus' accession date, "this is only a working date, on which projects are based", adding that "it is possible that accession will take place before or after this date".

Cyprus applied for EU membership in 1990. It signed an association agreement with the European Community in 1972 and customs union protocol in 1987.

Cyprus along with five central and eastern European countries started accession talks with the EU on March 30, 1998.

CNA RG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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