Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 01-12-15

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

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[01] EU leaders encourage Cypriot leaders to reach overall solution

[01] EU leaders encourage Cypriot leaders to reach overall solution

2230:CYPPRESS:02

EU leaders encourage Cypriot leaders to reach overall solution

by Maria Koniotou

Laeken, Dec 15 (CNA) - The European Council welcomed here today the recent meetings between the leaders of the Greek and the Turkish Cypriot communities in Cyprus and encouraged them to continue their discussions with a view to an overall solution under the auspices of the United Nations consistent with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The Council also said candidacies will continue to be assessed on their own merits, in accordance with the principle of differentiation and that if the present rate of progress of the negotiations is maintained Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic and Slovenia could be ready.

Cyprus opened negotiations with the EU in 1998 and has provisionally closed 24 out 29 chapters of the acquis communautaire.

The EU leaders said "the European Council welcomes the recent meetings between the leaders of the Greek and the Turkish Cypriot communities and would encourage them to continue their discussions with a view to an overall solution under the auspices of the United Nations consistent with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council."

The European Council reiterated that the EU is determined to bring the accession negotiations with the candidate countries that are ready to a successful conclusion by the end of 2002, so that those countries can take part in the European Parliament elections in 2004 as members.

It noted that Turkey made progress towards complying with the political criteria established for accession, in particular through the recent amendment of its constitution and that this has brought forward the prospect of the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey.

The Council added the "roadmap" drawn up by the Nice European Council remains fully applicable and that proceedings on the drafting of the accession treaties will begin in the first half of 2002.

As for Bulgaria and Romania the Council expressed appreciation for their efforts and encouraged them to continue on that course.

It noted that if those countries are to receive specific support, there must be a precise framework with a timetable and an appropriate "roadmap", the objective being to open negotiations with those countries on all chapters in 2002.

The Council also encouraged Turkey to continue its progress towards complying with both economic and political criteria, notably with regard to human rights and noted that pre-accession strategy for Turkey should mark a new stage in analysing its preparedness for alignment with the acquis.

CNA/MK/GP/2001 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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