Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-05-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM TURKEY EU COURSE

[02] GREEK FM CYPRUS ISSUE TURKEY

[03] CYPRUS NETHERLANDS AGREEMENT-IMMIGRATION

[01] FM TURKEY EU COURSE

Speaking after a meeting with a high-ranking Greek Foreign Ministry official, he said our position is that if Turkey meets all its obligations with regard to domestic reforms and commitments towards the EU and Cyprus, in the best possible way, then we believe that it can join the EU.

Asked about the options the government has should Turkey fail to meet its commitments, Kyprianou said that the options are well known. Either we have a common position among the EU27 or Cyprus with other EU members blocks the opening of some or all of Turkeys negotiating chapters, he noted.

Called to comment on remarks by the Turkish Cypriot leader about a UN solution plan, to be tabled at the talks, by the end of 2009, Kyprianou reiterated that there is an agreed framework for the solution.

The solution should be a Cypriot solution and the outcome of negotiations and the result of an agreement between the two communities in Cyprus. Mr. Talat should undertake the political responsibility and to negotiate for the solution of the problem, he said, adding that Talat (leader of the Turkish Cypriot community) is wrong if he believes he can provoke the intervention of the international community in the process, by keeping an intransigent stance and by presenting unacceptable positions.

Referring to his meeting with the Greek official, Kyprianou said the latest developments in the ongoing direct negotiation process for a solution as well as Turkeys EU accession course were discussed. He also said that during the most recent visit of the Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to Cyprus, a more close and intensive coordination between the two Foreign Ministries has been agreed.

[02] GREEK FM CYPRUS ISSUE TURKEY

Addressing the Economist Conference in Athens, Bakoyiannis said: We support the political leadership of Cyprus in their effort to find a mutually accepted solution to the Cyprus problem, a solution that will be a solely Cypriot solution, she added.

Bakoyiannis, who chaired the round table discussion titled: Organisation for Security & Co-operation in Europe, reiterated that Greece supports the EU-NATO orientation of its neighbouring countries, and at the same time it promotes its national interests. Our position is that full accession to the EU requires full adoption of European principles and values. And we send this message to every direction. We send it to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and to Turkey as well, she pointed out.

[03] CYPRUS NETHERLANDS AGREEMENT-IMMIGRATION

Albayrak said that Holland is one of the countries which has gained some experience with refugees seeking protection and getting protection in the Netherlands. The applications for political asylum in Holland in 2008 reached 14.500, she added.

The Dutch official referred to two strategies, the implementation of the legislation agreed in the EU and the cooperation in a more practical way not only to implement the laws that we pass, but also to bring up the practical standards we have in all European countries.

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