Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-09-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - CONFERENCE

[02] PAPADOPOULOS CONCLUDES CONTACTS

[03] CYPRUS RALLY 2006

[01] PAPADOPOULOS - CONFERENCE

Speaking during a press conference at the end of his contacts at the UN seat, President Papadopoulos reiterated the Greek Cypriot side`s commitment to the 8 July agreement to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on day to day issues and simultaneously substantive issues.

Asked if there is any hope for progress on the Cyprus problem before the end of Kofi Annans term, President Papadopoulos said he assured the Secretary-General of our firm commitment to that agreement and I told him of our overall positions and all the effort we have made in having these committees set up to start work immediately, for preparation of the subject, isolating issues that are perhaps of difference, which then would be referred to the leaders of the two communities for political negotiation.

The President said we have accepted all ideas and thoughts which were put forth by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Michael Moller``.

He said there was a ``gap, in the meetings for 20 days until the Turkish-Cypriot community replied to the latest ideas by Mr. Moller. In the meantime, however, there were no less than 20 meetings of the two representatives of the communities and Mr. Moller and quite a number of bilateral talks by Mr. Moller and either community. So, we have not been idle but I am very sad to say not much progress has been made until now.

Asked if he was officially informed by the UN on the answer of the Turkish-Cypriot side regarding the work of technical committees, in the framework of the ongoing talks, the President replied affirmatively, noting the UN knows exactly what the situation is.

This was confirmed to me yesterday by the Secretary-General, as well as by (UN Undersecretary General for political affairs Ibrahim ) Mr. Gambari. The reply of the Turkish-Cypriots was entitled, it had the title, of a positive response, the text however is not as positive as the title says, the President stressed.

The President dismissed as unfounded suggestions that Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen had conveyed to him his regret for his countrys support to Cyprus accession to the EU before a political settlement.

The Danish Prime Minister never said such a thing. Rasmussen expressed some disappointment, I dont believe his disappointment is as deep as mine for not having made progress, but he certainly did not express any regret or disappointment for having supported the entry of Cyprus into the European Union, he explained.

On Turkeys bid to join the Union, Papadopoulos said that Cyprus is not causing problems for the accession of Turkey to the European Union, on the contrary we were amongst the first countries to say, and I repeat now, that we strongly support the orientation of Turkey towards Europe.

However, he said this was subject to one very important consideration: that Turkey will perform all the obligations that Turkey has undertaken by the negotiating framework and by various papers since agreed in COREPER, that Turkey would perform these obligations towards the European Union and consequently towards Cyprus. So its a question between the European Union and Turkey, whether Turkey has complied with what it has undertaken to do or not.

He said that Cyprus and all other EU members have the right to ask that each applicant state, Croatia, Turkey, Bulgaria before they can progress in their accession negotiations, must comply chapter by chapter with the obligations they have undertaken.

Replying to other questions relating to Turkeys accession negotiations, he said everybody expects to get the EU Commission progress report on Turkey, following to a declaration in September, 2005 which expressly provides that failure of Turkey to meet with its obligations which are listed, may have adverse effects on the progress of the accession negotiations of Turkey.

President Papadopoulos said that this is the crucial issue, how can Turkey be convinced that it has to perform its duties towards the European Union, as every other applicant country.

He underlined that there are no special ways of treating any of the applicant countries, we know from our own experience. Irrespective of the great importance of Turkey to Europe, and maybe to the whole region, no question of Turkey having either a fast track or a different track than the rest of the applicants. The rules are there; every applicant state has to comply with all the obligations undertaken and listed in the negotiating framework.

Asked what Cyprus role will be in the development of the international force for Lebanon, President Papadopoulos said he assured Kofi Annan once more that we have a special feeling for the plight of refugees, since we have in our own country one third of our population being refuges in their own country.

Noting that Annan expressed his appreciation for the role and assistance Cyprus gave to the evacuees or other refugees from Lebanon, he added that Cyprus, traditionally having excellent relations with all its neighbors except Turkey, Arab countries as well as Israel, can make available both our soil and our resources and services, for any assistance the UN or other countries involved in the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 that they may need, as well as making available opportunities to the parties for any talks they want to have using Cyprus as a base. We are willing to make any effort asked of us, that reassurance I gave to the Secretary General.

Referring to his meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, President Papadopoulos said it might have been his last meeting with him before he leaves office.

I expressed the hope that circumstances will allow us to meet again. I thanked him for the many efforts made concerning the promotion of a solution to the Cyprus problem during his two tenures, the President said.

Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on July 8th 2006, during a meeting in Gambaris presence, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day to day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

Following the agreement, senior aides of the two leaders in Cyprus, Tasos Tzionis and Rasit Pertev, began meetings in Moller`s office in the UN-controlled buffer zone to work out the modalities for the implementation of the July agreement.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the islands northern third.

[02] PAPADOPOULOS CONCLUDES CONTACTS

Before departing, the President met with his Croatian counterpart Stjepan Mesic with whome he discussed Croatias EU perspective and reviewed bilateral relations.

The President informed Mesic on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.

Papadopoulos met British Minister for Europe Geoff Hoon who said after the meeting that the two had a very good conversation. We have a great deal of good common interest particularly about the future of Cyprus. We had an extremely constructive and helpful discussion.

Foreign Minister George Lillikas, who was accompanying the President on his trip, met his Syrian counterpart Walid Al-Moualem where they discussed the Middle East issue and reviewed bilateral relations.

He also met his Maltese counterpart Dr. Michael Frendo and discussed EU issues.

Lillikas returns to Cyprus Thursday evening.

[03] CYPRUS RALLY 2006

The competitive action gets underway on Friday morning with the opening leg offering four gravel stages, repeated twice, while Saturday`s timetable offers a further eight timed sections.

The final leg on Sunday consists of three gravel stages in the Troodos mountains, an all-new Down Town Special stage on Limassol seafront at 12.35 hrs, and a further two timed specials on Sunday afternoon. The official podium finish will take place in Limassol from 16.40 hrs.

A total of 50 entrants from 20 different countries are set to leave the start ramp and compete one of the most popular rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).

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