Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-10-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPOKESMAN - TURKEY - EU

[02] LILLIKAS - FINLAND

[01] SPOKESMAN - TURKEY - EU

Asked after a cabinet meeting if there were any developments regarding the Finnish EU presidency`s proposals, Pashiardis said ``the only development concerns the remarks of the Finnish Prime Minister, who expressed hope and optimism that a solution would be found.``

``Our side maintains the hope and optimism that the accession negotiations will continue with Turkey, even though Turkey, at least so far, is undermining this hope and optimism with its behaviour,`` he said and pointed out that the Finnish presidency was working hard on a reasonable solution.

Pashiardis assured that the government was working and cooperating with the Finnish presidency so that the initiative it has undertaken will have a positive outcome but noted that this outcome dictated that ``the Turkish side must maintain a reasonable stance and behaviour.``

``We do not know if the intransigent and negative stance of the Turkish side has changed but we cannot doubt the hope and optimism of the Finnish presidency,`` he added.

[02] LILLIKAS - FINLAND

He also said it is anticipated that the Commissions progress report on Turkey will reflect the truth over the unsatisfactory stance which Ankara maintains.

Speaking after meeting Cypriot Euro MPs, Lillikas was invited to comment on statements made by Finlands ambassador in Nicosia Risto Piipponen who had expressed optimism over the outcome of the proposals which the Finnish Presidency of the EU is working on.

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