Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-06-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] US - CYPRUS PROBLEM - ANNAN PLAN

[02] FM - BRUSSELS - MEETINGS

[03] REHN TURKEY

[04] CYPRUS - GAMBARI VISIT

[01] US - CYPRUS PROBLEM - ANNAN PLAN

Our view is that ideas and discussions with regard to a resolution of the Cyprus issue should be done in a context of the Annan plan and through the good offices of the Secretary General and his staff, who I think have been tireless, or relentless, in their efforts to resolve this difficult issue. And we continue to support that process, Ereli noted.

Asked whether any variations in the Annan plan have to be worked out with the UN, Ereli said ``in the context of the Annan plan and through the process set out in the Annan plan it`s up to the parties to the dispute to come up with revisions to the Annan plan that would be acceptable to both sides in the referendum.

Invited to comment on the ``European United Cyprus`` plan, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyiannis spoke about in an interview , Ereli said that he had not seen this latest proposal.

[02] FM - BRUSSELS - MEETINGS

Lillikas, who held a meeting in Brussels with Rehn, said that Enlargement Commissioner assured him that the next EU Presidency (Finland) has already started some thinking and preliminary consultations`` towards this goal.

He reminded that the direct trade regulation (trade between Turkish Cypriots and EU countries) provides for the opening of the Turkish occupied port of Famagusta under the joint administration of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and under the EU control, as well as the return of the town of Famagusta to its legal inhabitants as well as a series of other things ``which we seek to implement.``

During the meeting with Rehn, he said they also discussed ways of implementing the financial aid regulation for the Turkish Cypriots, adding that they discussed in detail the Commissions work and how the projects to be funded will be chosen, based on EU decisions, in order to serve the economic development of the Turkish Cypriots, as well as to enhance cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in collaboration with the EU.

These steps should lead to the economic integration of Cyprus so as to serve our main goal which is the reunification of Cyprus in the framework of a future solution, he noted.

Regarding Turkeys EU accession course, Lillikas said that Commissioner for Enlargement expressed the view that «Turkeys negative stance creates a serious problem and it seems that the Commission`s report (to be issued in October) will be especially aggressive towards Turkey.

[03] REHN TURKEY

Turkey should open its ports to vessels under flag of all Member States, including the Republic of Cyprus. As set out in the Negotiating Framework, the opening of accession negotiations on the relevant chapters depends on Turkey`s implementation of its obligations to all Member States under the Association Agreement, he said.

If we want to avoid a major problem in the autumn, Turkey needs to stick to its word, he noted.

The Commissioner pointed out that there is an alternative to a major accident, provided the parties in Cyprus stop complaining against past injustice and rather work on future solutions with a pragmatic approach.

In statements before the European Parliaments Committee on Foreign Affairs which discussed today the draft report on Turkey, Rehn said that because Turkey is a negotiating country, our expectations of Turkey have naturally increased.

[04] CYPRUS - GAMBARI VISIT

Invited to comment on reports that Gambari has asked for a joint meeting between President Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis said President Papadopoulos has absolutely no problem with meeting Mr. Talat, on the contrary he would like such meeting which will take place not to create impressions but to be a meeting of substance.

In order for such a meeting to be productive and creative, it should be sufficiently prepared so that it will not fail and reach a deadlock, said Pashiardis, adding that the UN have not made any effort to arrange such a meeting.

A possible failure of such meeting will not only damage the UNs prestige, it will also be an irreparable blow to the whole effort to open the road that will lead to a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem, he added.

Pashiardis said the Cyprus problem is at a stage where it does not accept any experimentation, nor impressive gimmicks. The Turkish side has every reason to pursue making impressions. Our side has no reason to help the Turkish side in its pursuit, however it has every reason to aim for the substance and to pursue negotiations that will have the necessary preconditions to be useful and productive.

And in order to be useful and productive, he added, the necessary actions and work must take place beforehand so that a meeting between President Papadopoulos and Mr. Talat will not be a meeting merely for making impressions but will be a meeting of substance and prospect, excluding failure and deadlock and promising success and results.

Asked if a sign of preparation would be the operation of the technical committees, agreed in Paris, Pashiardis said that a significant example of sufficient preparation of the negotiations would surely be the implementation of what was agreed in Paris during President Papadopoulos meeting with the UN Secretary-General.

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