Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-11-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus - UN General Assembly

[02] Clerides - Kasoulides - EU Commissioner

1310:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus - UN General Assembly

The decision was announced by Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides after a meeting of the National Council, top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem.

He said that during the meeting Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides briefed the Council members on Cyprus' accession course to the European Union, in the light of the start of substantial negotiations on Tuesday, November 10.

Replying to questions he said the issue of the S300 surface-to-air missile system ordered by the government from Russia in a bid to upgrade its air defence was not discussed. (More later)

CNA RM/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1330:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Clerides - Kasoulides - EU Commissioner

Gradin was speaking to the press after a meeting with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

Earlier today she was received by President Glafcos Clerides. The Presidential Palace meeting was also attended by Kasoulides, Justice and Public Order Minister Nicos Koshis, Under Secretary to the President Pantelis Kouros and the Ambassador, Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Cyprus, Donato Chiarini.

The EU Commissioner said she discussed with Kasoulides the freedom of movement for people, border control and questions related to international crime, adding that it was the first time such issues were examined in the accession negotiations.

"Cyprus is fulfilling its duties. There are some technical questions like with all countries, but I am sure they will be solved", Gradin pointed out.

"The question for Cyprus is of course the political one", she said, expressing hopes for a solution during the accession negotiations.

Asked whether Cyprus' political problem will affect its accession course, she said "now we are negotiating for membership and parallel to this you have the UN having an envoy here who is working hard, and I also know that different parties are engaged in trying to find a solution also to the political situation".

Many were very pessimistic about Ireland but suddenly the Irish people were able to solve their problem which was very difficult and long-existing, Gradin noted.

"So why it shouldn't be possible to solve the problem of Cyprus," she asked.

Requested to comment on the island's harmonisation process, she said "Cyprus is moving, Cyprus is doing well, and we also now improving our cooperation particularly when it comes to sea borders."

Asked about the possibility of the EU pressing Turkey to cooperate for achieving progress on Cyprus' political issue, she said "we have a dialogue with all parties involved and are trying to get everybody to look into the situation".

"You have to get everybody on board that we can talk and find solutions", Gradin added, pointing out "that is the only way of trying to solve problems."

Asked whether that is enough, the EU Commissioner insisted "that is the only way of solving conflicts", because "fighting is not the solution".

Gradin had also meetings today with Interior Minister Dinos Michaelides and Attorney General Alecos Markides.

She will also meet Justice and Public Order Minister Nicos Koshis and head of Cyprus' negotiating team with the EU George Vassiliou.

The EU Commissioner will leave the island on Sunday. Cyprus along with Slovenia, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic started substantive accession negotiations with the EU on November 10.

CNA GG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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