Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-12-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus FM satisfied over outcome of EU Foreign Ministers discussions

[02] Cyprus President: We will decide about Turkey at the last moment

[01] Cyprus FM satisfied over outcome of EU Foreign Ministers discussions

2040:CYPPRESS:12

Cyprus FM satisfied over outcome of EU Foreign Ministers discussions

by Nicos Bellos

Brussels, Dec 13 (CNA) --- Cyprus Foreign Minister George Iacovou expressed today satisfaction over the outcome of today's discussion at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council, regarding the wording of paragraph 19 in the draft conclusions text of the upcoming European Council.

During today's discussions among the 25 EU Foreign Ministers five Foreign Ministers - that of France, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Spain and Greece - supported Cyprus' positions regarding the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey, as well as the normalization of the two countries' relations, and none of the Foreign Minster expressed opposition to these positions.

Paragraph 19 of the latest draft summit conclusions reads ''The European Council welcomed Turkey's [decision] to sign the protocol regarding the adaptation of the Ankara Agreement, taking account of the accession of the ten new member states'', including the Republic of Cyprus.

Cyprus FM asked for a change in the wording of paragraph 19, so that it states that there are legal consequences emerging from the Ankara Agreement Protocol that the European Commission has proposed and that Turkey should implement it and not just sign it.

[02] Cyprus President: We will decide about Turkey at the last moment

2135:CYPPRESS:13

Cyprus President: We will decide about Turkey at the last moment

Nicosia, Dec 13 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos said today that Cyprus will take its final decision regarding Turkey's European bid at the very last moment at the EU Summit, December 16 and 17, based on the positions of other countries and on the degree Cyprus' demands are met.

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