Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 05-08-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cypriot Anorthosis satisfied with Turkish hospitality

[02] Cyprus government calls on Turkey to recognise Cyprus

[03] Chairman of the EPP-ED Group calls on Turkey to recognise Cyprus

[01] Cypriot Anorthosis satisfied with Turkish hospitality

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Cypriot Anorthosis satisfied with Turkish hospitality

Nicosia, Aug 2 (CNA) A 150 member Cypriot delegation which traveled to the Black Sea city of Trabzon, Turkey, for the final leg of the second qualifying round of the Champions League Wednesday between Cypriot team Anorthosis Famagusta and Turkish Trabzonspor was satisfied with the Turkish hospitality.

Anorthosis Vice President Dinos Toumazis told CNA that apart from the tight security measures that the delegation went through on arrival at Trabzon airport in the early hours, everything else seemed to be going well.

He said that there is a strong police presence around the hotels where the Cypriot delegation is residing while Turkish police is accompanying the Cyprus team during its transportation around the city.

[02] Cyprus government calls on Turkey to recognise Cyprus

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Cyprus government calls on Turkey to recognise Cyprus

Nicosia, Aug 2 (CNA) The Turkish government must recognise, without any further delay, the legal and political reality that the Republic of Cyprus is the only state in Cyprus, recognised by the international community, Cyprus Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides has said.

In a written statement this evening, Chrysostomides said the government is deliberating with its EU partners and will promote its position regarding the unreserved signing of the Ankara agreement as a condition to start accession negotiations, at the relevant EU institutions which will take the final decision on the contents of the negotiating framework for Turkeys accession negotiations.

Regarding Turkeys declaration on Cyprus made at the time of its signature of the adaptation protocol to the Ankara Agreement, extending its customs union with the EU to the ten new member states, and the statements and comments made by Turkish officials, the Spokesman said it is incomprehensible for the Turkish government to insist and state that it does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus, one of the EU member states, which it aspires to become a member.

[03] Chairman of the EPP-ED Group calls on Turkey to recognise Cyprus

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Chairman of the EPP-ED Group calls on Turkey to recognise Cyprus

Nicosia, Aug 2 (CNA) Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament Hans-Gert Poettering stressed today the need for Turkey to recognise the Republic of Cyprus, noting that it is common sense for Cyprus not to agree to the start of Turkeys accession negotiations with the EU.

I think we must be rational. Negotiations with countries that wish to become members of the EU are based on negotiations and their relations with the 25 member states, Poettering told the Greek service of the BBC.

Therefore, if a country wants to become a member, it is rational to recognise all member states. You cannot negotiate with someone you do not recognise, he added.

Poettering pointed out that he is not expressing personal views whether Turkey must become a member or not. Instead, he added, his statements concern a procedure that must have some logic.

I think it is logical for Cyprus not to agree with the start of Turkeys accession negotiations, said the Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, noting that this is not solely Cyprus problem. Cyprus is an EU member and we should not leave her unaided on this issue, he stressed.

Nicosia, Poettering added, should demand the solidarity of the other EU member states.

At the same time, the German Euro MP warned that the European Parliaments role should not be underestimated adding that it can decide on a candidate state after the end of its accession negotiations.

At this stage we are not discussing whether Turkey should become a member. We are discussing the logical argument that for Turkey to become a member, it must recognise the Republic of Cyprus, Poettering concluded.

CNA/GSA/ÅC/MK/2005 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY   

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