Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 01-10-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Clerides - Romano Prodi - Official talks

[02] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[03] Spokesman - Cyprus - EU - Prodi

[04] Spokesman - Turkish allegations - Shelf

[05] EU Commission President - Departure

[06] MEP Jacques Poos - Cyprus - Visit

[07] US President - Report on Cyprus

1500:CYPPRESS:01

[01] President Clerides - Romano Prodi - Official talks

Speaking after official talks he and his aides had with the Cyprus government, Prodi, who is paying a two-day official visit to Cyprus, said the EU does not want to interfere to an agreement reached by the two communities of the island but it will go on in its efforts to support the UN process aimed to reach a settlement.

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, who led the Cyprus delegation at the Presidential Palace talks, said he was particularly pleased that Prodi had stated that the Commission proceeded towards the conclusion of the accession negotiations with the candidate countries by the end of 2002 and that the Helsinki conclusions on Cyprus would be upheld.

The two sides discussed about EU enlargement, the future of Europe, the current international situation following the terrorist attacks in the US on September 11 and examined the course of Cyprus' accession negotiations as well as Cyprus' contribution to the enlarged Europe. President Clerides also briefed President Prodi on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

Prodi, who was accompanied by EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen and his other aides that traveled with him to Cyprus, said Cyprus "is well advanced in the preparation for membership" and "will be among the first new member group."

He noted that "in this international climate the enlargement of the EU is even more important" as "it will extend the zone of security stability, peace and justice in Europe."

"With President Clerides and the members of the government we had a very productive exchange view both on the enlargement and on the possibility of a political settlement," the Commission President noted and expressed regret that the Turkish Cypriot side refused to return to the UN peace talks on Cyprus.

He expressed the conviction that "the process of Cyprus accession to the EU and the search for a political settlement are mutually re-impulsive" and reiterated that "a settlement would of course facilitate accession but is not a precondition."

"Accession will benefit all Cypriots in both political and economic terms and we think that there is now a window of opportunity until the end of the negotiations, probably in the next half of next year for a settlement," Prodi noted and said "this will allow the provision of such an agreement to be included in the arrangements for accession."

"We trust that a political breakthrough can be achieved and we support the efforts of the UN and all the parties concerned for a settlement. Commissioner Verheugen has been very, very active in this direction and we shall go on in our efforts," the European official added and said that "at the end of the day however it will be for the Cyprus people to find the agreement".

Prodi congratulated the Cyprus government, parliament, administration and all other people involved with the harmonisation with the acquis communautaire "for the excellent progress achieved towards accession," and named the chapters of taxation, competition, justice and home affairs as "political - technical difficult issues" remaining for Cyprus.

The European official expressed the conviction that these issues will be tackled in the next months.

Invited to say whether the Commission is ready to take any initiative for the resumption of the dialogue for the Cyprus problem Prodi said "we are ready to do anything that would be useful to that," and added: "we are confident of the UN role in this and we are at the service of the dialogue but of course we don't want to impose anything. We are confident that this must be solved by the current instruments."

Asked how is the EU preparing itself practically to accept a divided island, Prodi reiterated that the Union prefers a united island "but this is not a precondition," and expressed hope that "there will be a solution in the next months."

Invited to say whether the solution could deviate from the acquis the European Commissioner answered "No. No. Please let us not misunderstand. We want an agreement here and we don't want to interfere to that. Of course, we can't make any exception neither with Cyprus or with any other country, to human rights, rule of law, acquis communautaire. These serve the general rules. There cannot be any exemption from these general rules. But it is clear that we don't want, and this is the central democracy of Europe you know of subsidiary, we don't want to impose anything that you can solve and you must solve -, your communality agreement, how you solve your problem."

On his part President Clerides said Prodi's visit to Cyprus was a landmark and "full of encouraging messages for our country."

"I've been particularly please following President Prodi's statements that the Commission proceeds towards the conclusion of the accession negotiations with the candidate countries by the end of 2002 and that the Helsinki decisions on Cyprus will be upheld," President Clerides added.

Soon after the statements, Prodi accompanied by Clerides inspected a guard of honour. A police band sounded the anthems of Cyprus and the EU.

After the Presidential Palace the Commission President visited the UN headquarters in Nicosia and the UN-controlled buffer zone. He also visited the cease-fire line within the walled-city of Nicosia escorted by Nicosia mayor Lellos Demetriades.

He had also a meeting with Greek Cypriot trade unionists at the Nicosia Town Hall. This meeting was originally scheduled to take place at the Ledra Palace Hotel, situated in the UN-controlled buffer zone, with the participation of Greek and Turkish Cypriot trade union leaders. But the occupation regime did not allow the the Turkish Cypriot trade unionists to attend the meeting.

Prodi leaves the island this afternoon. CNÁ/MK/GP001

1555:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Temperatures (degrees Celcius)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Station               Maximum     Minimum       Weather
                                        (At 1200 UTC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Nicosia                  24         13         CLOUDY
Larnaca                  26         16         RAIN
Limassol                 23         17         RAIN
Paphos                   25         17         RAIN
---------------------------------------------------------------

1600:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Spokesman - Cyprus - EU - Prodi

Speaking after the conclusion of the official talks Prodi held today with the Cyprus government, Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou pointed out that Prodi's visit and statements give a new impetus to Cyprus bid to join the EU and that during the talks governmental officials underlined "that Cyprus requests the respect of UN resolutions and European Court of Human Right's rulings on Cyprus." CNA/RM/MK/2001

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[04] Spokesman - Turkish allegations - Shelf

Commenting on a report in the Turkish press, Papapetrou said the Cyprus government had not commissioned any company to conduct surveys on its behalf for such purpose and noted the government was proceeding with the delimitation of its economic exclusive zone, according to the international law. CNA/MK/RM/2001

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1820:CYPPRESS:05

[05] EU Commission President - Departure

Later today, President of the European Commission and his aides who were here on a two - day official visit left Cyprus. Chief Negotiator with the EU George Vassiliou and Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides were present at the unofficial ceremony for seeing off the EU officials.

Before departing, Prodi and the EU delegation, including EU Commissioner for Enlargement Gunter Verheugen, visited the Nicosia Town Hall and met with city Mayor Lellos Demetriades. Later on he held a meeting with representatives of three Greek Cypriot Trade Unions. However, he was not able to meet with representatives of Turkish Cypriot Trade Unions, at the buffer zone, as scheduled, since Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash did not allow them to participate.|

CNA/AAG/CST/AAR/RM/2001

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1910:CYPPRESS:06

[06] MEP Jacques Poos - Cyprus - Visit

According to an official press release, during his stay here, Poos will be received by President Glafcos Clerides and will hold separate meetings with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Attorney General Alecos Markides, Chief Negotiator for Cyprus' accession into the European Union George Vassiliou, party leaders and chairmen and members of parliamentary committees.| CNA/AAR/RM/2001

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1950:CYPPRESS:07

[07] US President - Report on Cyprus

Accoring to an official press release issued here today, the report, which covers the period between August 1 and end of September, 2001, has been submitted to the Congress on 16 October.

In his letter, President Bush also states, that "the United Nations continued their efforts to resume the proximity talks on Cyprus that started in December 1999."| CNA/AAR/RM/2001

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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