Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-12-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] BAKOYIANNIS - CYPRUS

[01] BAKOYIANNIS - CYPRUS

She was speaking during a brief stopover in Cyprus on her way home from Jordan.

The Greek Minister held talks at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia with President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos, her Cypriot counterpart George Lillikas and delegations from both countries.

Both ministers said they reviewed the latest developments following the Commissions recommendations on Turkeys EU accession negotiations. At the same time, both countries are coordinating their action and positions in view of the EU Foreign Ministers Council and the EU Summit later this month.

Lillikas said they had a constructive discussion where they analysed the latest developments following the Commissions recommendation to suspend partially Turkeys accession negotiations.

We agree that Europe should send a clear message to Turkey, that as a candidate state, it must fulfill the obligations it voluntarily undertook, Lillikas stressed.

Bakoyiannis said Greece and Cyprus are coordinating their moves and are at the start of a long negotiation which will culminate either at the General Affairs Council at the Foreign Ministers level or at the EU summit.

The Greek Minister said the Commission made a first recommendation, but decisions are taken by politicians, the prime ministers or foreign ministers who represent their countries.

Our view is that Turkey, as a candidate member state, has undertaken obligations towards the EU, and the EU is a union of principles and values and that it has an obligation to honour its signature and obligations otherwise Europe must convey a clear and cogent message, she added.

Bakoyiannis said that the aim is to achieve what we want and told journalists she was not ready to announce the aim at the start of negotiations.

On his part, Lillikas said that Cyprus does not accept sanctions which are not substantial, but at the same time, does not any recommendations which lead to a complete suspension of the talks. We are negotiating within this framework because our aim is not solely Turkey to be punished, but we want to achieve Turkeys hamonisation and the implementation of the obligations it has undertaken towards all EU states, including Cyprus, he concluded.

After the talks, Bakoyiannis headed back to Greece.

On Wednesday, the European Commission said it was recommending a partial suspension of Turkey`s EU membership talks for refusing to open its ports and airports to Cypriot vessels and aircraft.

The Commission said eight out of 35 negotiating chapters would be put on hold.

EU member-state Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. Turkey, which aspires to join the EU, has so far refused to implement numerous United Nations calling for the immediate withdrawal of its troops from this east Mediterranean island Republic.

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