Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-06-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRIOT FM - TURKEY

[02] FINLAND TURKEY EU

[03] US AMBASSADOR GAMBARI

[01] CYPRIOT FM - TURKEY

He also said it is clear that Turkey must choose between Europe and occupying Cypriot and European territory.

Responding to questions, he also said that the Turkish Cypriot stance regards the technical committees, does not allow any room for progress in Cyprus efforts.

The Minister was speaking after successive meetings with Ambassadors in Cyprus of Spain, Jose Manuel Cervera De Gongora, China, Zhao Yali and Slovakia Jan Varso. The newly appointed FM discussed with the foreign diplomats the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, bilateral issues and issues of common interest.

With the Chinese Ambassador, Lillikas discussed the visit of the President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos to China, which will take place early winter.

Responding to questions over the possibility of a meeting between the two sides, during the forthcoming visit of UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari, in Athens, Ankara and Nicosia, beginning of July, in order to sound out the situation on a possible resumption of the dialogue on Cyprus, Lillikas noted the negative stance of the Turkish Cypriot side.

From the moment the T/C side maintains a very negative stance on the sole issue before us, regarding the function of the technical committees (agreed between Papadopoulos and UNSG Kofi Annan to prepare the ground for substantial negotiations on Cyprus) and insists on the discussion of everyday issues, I dont think there is any space left for any one to contribute towards achieving some progress, Lillikas said.

As regards Wednesdays developments in COREPER, with the opening of the Customs Union chapter for Croatias accession talks but not for Turkey, due to its refusal to implement the additional protocol to the new EU members, including Cyprus, Lillikas said it was expected.

The development is a practical assurance, he said, of past EU decisions and statements that Turkey should meet its European obligations, reiterating the Cypriot governments wish for Turkey to continue its European course.

«Turkey must help itself. Turkey cannot expect from Cyprus or any other European country to help, and at the same time to jeopardize its own course to the EU», he concluded.

[02] FINLAND TURKEY EU

Replying to questions during a press conference in Brussels to present the Finnish presidency`s priorities, Tuomioja said that the deadline given to Turkey to fulfill its obligations will come to an end by the end of the year, adding that the EU expects Ankara to ratify the additional protocol, otherwise a serious problem in the accession negotiations will be created.

``This is not a threat, but it would endanger the continuation of the negotiations,`` Tuomioja said, adding that the Turkish government knows very well what is expected to do.

[03] US AMBASSADOR GAMBARI

``The visit of Undersecretary-General Gambari is important event, given the role of the UN as the political interlocutor between the two communities on the island,`` Schlicher said replying to questions after meeting Cypriot Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Antonis Michaelides, adding that the UN`s ``role as the political interlocutor is vital and has to continue.``

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