Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-05-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRIOT FM VIENNA - INFORMAL MEETING

[01] CYPRIOT FM VIENNA - INFORMAL MEETING

Iacovou participated in the EU Informal Foreign Ministers meeting which wrapped up in Vienna. The meeting discussed the issues of Communicating Europe, the Constitutional Treaty and Enlargement.

According to an official press release, during the discussion on enlargement, which mainly focused on the EU`s ability to absorb new members, Iacovou raised the obligations Turkey assumed in its EU bid.

``We supported the idea of the enlargements strategic importance and the prospect of integrating candidate states in the EU,`` said Iacovou, adding however that ``Turkey, with its behaviour, its actions and also its clear statements that it will not implement its obligations, does not help itself.``

The Cypriot FM noted that international relations work on the principle of good faith, which means that one cannot commit ones self by signing a document and at the same time publicly declaring that the document will not be implemented.

The EU Commission is expected to present a Progress Report in October on Turkey`s EU bid. Ankara refuses so far to expand its Customs Union with the EU, covering the Republic of Cyprus and is adamant in opening its ports and airports to Cypriot flagged ships and airplanes.

Soon Turkey will be brought before its obligations and will be judged accordingly, Iacovou added, noting that Cyprus expects support and solidarity from its EU partners.

On Communicating Europe, Iacovou pointed out the need for Europe to come closer to its citizens and to implement Plan D (Democracy, Dialogue and Public Debate) while he referred to Cyprus` Plan D efforts launched during recent events on the occasion of Europe`s Day.

Speaking during the Constitutional Treaty discussion, Iacovou expressed Cyprus` support for the text brought before the European citizens for approval.

Despite the negative results in the referenda in France and The Netherlands, 17 states, including Cyprus, have ratified the constitutional treaty, Iacovou said, expressing doubt whether a new text would be better welcomed by the European citizens.

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