Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 02-12-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus joins European Union

[02] Copenhagen European Council Conclusions - Cyprus (Full text)

[03] Copenhagen European Council Conclusions - Turkey (Ful text)

[04] European leaders urge Turkey to continue reform process

[01] Cyprus joins European Union

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Cyprus joins European Union

Copenhagen, Dec 14 (CNA) -- The east Mediterranean island of Cyprus has been extended an invitation to join the European Union, 12 years after submitting its application for membership of the European Communities.

The historic moment for Cyprus comes after a dramatic two-day attempt by the UN to clinch a deal to include a united Cyprus in the EU ranks failed because of the Turkish intransigent stance.

European Union leaders said today in the conclusions of the Copenhagen European Council that as accession negotiations have been completed with Cyprus, Cyprus will be admitted as a new EU member state.

However, the Council confirmed its strong preference for accession to the European Union by a united Cyprus and welcomed the commitment of the two sides on the island to continue to negotiate to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem by 28 February 2003 on the basis of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annans proposals.

It said in the absence of a settlement, the application of the acquis to the northern part of the island should be suspended, until the Council decides otherwise on the basis of a proposal by the Commission.

The European Council said as the accession negotiations have been completed with Cyprus, Cyprus will be admitted as a new Member State to the European Union.

Nevertheless, it noted, the European Council confirms its strong preference for accession to the European Union by a united Cyprus.

In this context, it welcomes the commitment of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots to continue to negotiate with the objective of concluding a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem by 28 February 2003 on the basis of the UNSGs proposals, the conclusions said.

The European Council believes that there is a unique opportunity to reach a settlement in the coming weeks and urges the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to seize this opportunity, the conclusions remarked.

The Union recalls its willingness to accommodate the terms of a settlement in the Treaty of Accession in line with the principle on which the EU is founded, they added.

''In case of a settlement, the conclusions noted, the Council, acting by unanimity on the basis of proposals by the Commission, shall decide upon adaptations of the terms concerning the accessions of Cyprus to the EU with regard to the Turkish Cypriot community.

Furthermore, the European Council has decided that, in the absence of a settlement, the application of the acquis to the northern part of the island shall be suspended, until the Council decides unanimously otherwise, on the basis of a proposal by the Commission.

"Meanhwile the Council invites the Commission, in consultation with the Government of Cyprus to consider ways of promoting economic development of the northern part of Cyprus and bringing it closer to the Union", the European Council concluded.

In addition, a declaration of the Council meeting in Copenhagen on 12 December 2002 said the fact that, as things stand at present, Cyprus and Malta will not take part in EU military operations conducted using NATO assets once they have become members of the EU will not, within the limits of the EU Security Regulations, affect the right of their representatives to participate and vote in EU institutions and bodies, including COPS, with regard to decisions which do not concern the implementation of such operations.

Regarding enlargement, the conclusions said today marks an unprecedented and historic milestone in completing this process with the conclusion of accession negotiations with Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, adding that the Union now looks forward to welcoming these States as members from May 1, 2004.

They said this achievement testifies to the common determination of the peoples of Europe to come together in a Union that has become the driving force for peace, democracy, stability and prosperity on our continent, adding that as fully fledged members of a Union based on solidarity, these States will play a full role in shaping the further development of the European project.

[02] Copenhagen European Council Conclusions - Cyprus (Full text)

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Copenhagen, Dec 14 (CNA) --

Copenhagen European Council Conclusions - Cyprus (Full text)

10. In accordance with the above paragraph 3, as the accession negotiations have been completed with Cyprus, Cyprus will be admitted as a new Member State to the EU. Nevertheless the European Council confirms its strong preference for accession to the European Union by a united Cyprus. In this context it welcomes the commitment of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots to continue to negotiate with the objective of concluding a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem by 28 February 2003 on the basis of the UNSG's proposals. The European Council believes that there is a unique opportunity to reach a settlement in the coming weeks and urges the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to seize this opportunity.

11. The Union recalls its willingness to accommodate the terms of a settlement in the Treaty of Accession in line with the principles on which the EU is founded. In case of a settlement, the Council, acting by unanimity on the basis of proposals by the Commission, shall decide upon adaptations of the terms concerning the accession of Cyprus to the EU with regard to the Turkish Cypriot community.

[03] Copenhagen European Council Conclusions - Turkey (Ful text)

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Copenhagen, Dec 14 (CNA) --

Copenhagen European Council Conclusions - Turkey (Ful text)

18. The European Council recalls its decision in 1999 in Helsinki that Turkey is a candidate state destined to join the Union on the basis of the same criteria as applied to the other candidate states. It strongly welcomes the important steps taken by Turkey towards meeting the Copenhagen criteria in particular through the recent legislative packages and the subsequent implementation measures, which cover a large number of key priorities specified in the Accession Partnership. The Union acknowledges the determination of the new Turkish government to take further steps on the path of reform and urges in particular the government to address swiftly all remaining shortcomings in the field of the political criteria, not only with regard to legislation but also in particular with regard to implementation. The Union recalls that, according to the political criteria decided in Copenhagen in 1993, membership requires that a candidate country has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for the protection of minorities.

19. The Union encourages Turkey to pursue energetically its reform process. If the European Council in December 2004, on the basis of a report and a recommendation from the Commission, decides that Turkey fulfils the political criteria, the European Union will open accession negotiations with Turkey without delay.

20. In order to assist Turkey towards EU membership, the accession strategy for Turkey shall be strengthened. The Commission is invited to submit a proposal for a revised Accession Partnership and to intensify the process of legislative scrutiny. In parallel, the EC-Turkey Customs Union should be extended and deepened. The Union will significantly increase its pre-accession financial package for Turkey. This assistance will from 2004 be financed under the budget heading preaccession expenditure.

[04] European leaders urge Turkey to continue reform process

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European leaders urge Turkey to continue reform process

Copenhagen, Dec 14 (CNA) -- The Copenhagen European Council urged Turkey to pursue energetically its reform process and if the EU in December 2004 decides that Turkey fulfils the political criteria, the European Union (EU) will open accession negotiations with Turkey without delay.

The position is outlined in the section on Turkey included in the conclusions of the European Council decided here Friday, which recalls the Helsinki 1999 conclusions that Turkey is a candidate state destined to join the Union on the basis of the same criteria as applied to the other candidate states.

EU leaders did not yield to Turkeys desire to see the Copenhagen summit set a firm start date for its negotiations. Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul told British Prime Minister Tony Blair the proposal to delay a decision on Turkey's bid until December 2004 was ''unacceptable''.

In its conclusions, the European Council recalls its decision in 1999 in Helsinki that Turkey is a candidate state destined to join the Union on the basis of the same criteria as applied to the other candidate states.

The EU leaders strongly welcomed the important steps taken by Turkey towards meeting the Copenhagen criteria in particular through the recent legislative packages and the subsequent implementation measures, which cover a large number of key priorities specified in the Accession Partnership.

Acknowledging the determination of the new Turkish government to take further steps on the path of reform, the European Council urged in particular the (Turkish) government to address swiftly all remaining shortcomings in the field of the political criteria, not only with regard to legislation but also in particular with regard to implementation.

The Union recalled that according to the political criteria decided in Copenhagen in 1993, membership requires that a candidate country has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for the protection of minorities.

The Union encourages Turkey to pursue energetically its reform process, the Council said, stressing that if the European Council in December 2004, on the basis of a report and a recommendation from the Commission, decides that Turkey fulfils the political criteria, the European Union will open accession negotiations with Turkey without delay.

Furthermore, it notes in order to assist Turkey towards EU membership, the accession strategy for Turkey shall be strengthened.

To this effort, the Commission is invited to submit a proposal for a revised Accession Partnership and to intensify the process of legislative scrutiny. In parallel, the EC-Turkey Customs Union should be extended and deepened. The Union will significantly increase its pre-accession financial package for Turkey. This assistance will from 2004 be financed under the budget heading preaccession expenditure, the European Council conclusions said.

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