Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-06-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPAIN - TALKS

[02] EU - T/C

[01] SPAIN - TALKS

Moratinos had talks here with his Cypriot counterpart Markos Kyprianou with whom he discussed the Cyprus question, regional and international issues, bilateral relations and issues concerning the EU.

As regards the Lisbon Treaty, both Kyprianou and Moratinos underlined that the two countries are moving towards its ratification.

Moratinos proposed to Kyprianou the signing of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the two ministries, more specifically between their diplomatic missions. Kyprianou expressed hope that this memorandum will be signed during his visit to Madrid after the summer.

Referring to the Cyprus question, Kyprianou said he briefed his Spanish counterpart on the latest developments. Moratinos said we are very much encouraged by what weve heard of the new talks to solve the Cyprus issue.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat are both doing very encouraging work, he said and encouraged them to continue and to engage in this process for the future of the island and the whole region.

I am encouraged and I am very proud that things are moving forward. There are working groups. There are committees. There are discussions, there will be meetings. I think in diplomacy and international fair dialogue is the best instrument to solve problems and I think that is the way to achieve a final settlement of this issue. I ve been so much personally involved in this island that I feel like all of you, hoping that finally we can come with very good news, he added.

As regards the Lisbon Treaty, Kyprianou noted the problems after it was rejected in a referendum in Ireland, adding that Spain and Cyprus are moving forward with the ratification process.

Moratinos said that both countries are on their way to ratify the Lisbon treaty by their parliaments. We hope that both countries will be in the position to present our ratification of the Treaty before the European Council of the 15th of October in order to send a strong message the Europe is moving forward,`` he noted.

Referring to Kosovo, Kyprianou said that on this and on EU relations with third countries, they have a common position. Moratinos said that we have the same position on respect of international legality. Cyprus and Spain always put international legality at the front, top of our discussion and our attitude in international affairs he added.

Kyprianou said that he also briefed Moratinos on the position of the Republic of Cyprus as regards the European Commissions activities in Cyprus Turkish occupied areas and the support given to the Turkish Cypriot community. We support the initiatives of the European Commission, given the fact that they are taken in the framework of legality, international law, the acquis communautaire and the European law, he added.

As regards Turkeys EU prospect, he said Cyprus supports Turkeys accession to the EU as long as Ankara fulfills its obligations towards the EU and all its member states, including Cyprus, adding that we are addressing each chapter in this process on its own merits.

Moratinos said that from the talks they had we have come to this very clear conclusion of Cyprus and Spain working together. We have the same policies, the same engagement, the same compromise, the same initiative that can enforce not only the EU itself but also the role of the EU in areas of common interest such as the Mediterranean, such as the Eestern Balkans, he said, adding that they are also defending the same position on Cuba.

He said that they agreed due to the high level of trust and confidence that exists between the two ministries that they can exchange diplomats and use their premises abroad in order that they reinforce the cooperation and dialogue between the two administrations.

Moratinos also referred to the importance of the EU Mediterranean dimension, noting that we are working on President Sarkozys initiative calling for a summit on the 13th of July. Both Presidents of Spain and Cyprus will attend the Summit in Paris. Cyprus and Spain will be very active in order to reinforce the Mediterranean dimension of the EU, he added.

He also said that they discussed about the Middle East and many other issues of common interest like immigration, adding that in the EU we unify our forces because we have the same sensitivity and the same interest to work together.

Moratinos said that he invited Kyprianou to pay an official visit to Spain that that he was also going to invite President Christofias, whom he met after his talks with Kyprianou, to pay also an official visit to Spain.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot technical committees and working groups have been set up after an agreement between President Christofias and Talat earlier this year, with a view to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations on the Cyprus question.

[02] EU - T/C

The European Commission has signed a 1,991,000 euro contract with a consortium led by the company Agriconsulting Europe SA, and composed of Turkish company Agrin and French institution CNASEA, to support rural development policy in the northern Turkish occupied part of Cyprus.

According to a statement of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, the Rural Development Support Team will help develop the capacity of Turkish Cypriot experts in the formulation of rural development policy, including assistance in the preparation of a Rural Development Plan, which will guide implementation of EU funded projects in this sector.

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