Cyprus Government Spokesman Daily Briefing, 03-11-12

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From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>

12 November, 2003

DAILY BRIEFING OF THE PRESS BY THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN

At todays briefing of the Press the Government Spokesman Mr Kypros Chrysostomides stated that during its meeting today the Council of Ministers, decided to upgrade the Cyprus Embassys Office in Budapest taking into account the latest political developments in the European region which include the upcoming accession of Hungary to the European Union along with Cyprus. He added that the first Ambassador to be appointed to Hungary will be Mr George Shiakallis.

The Spokesman also said that the Council of Ministers approved the purchase of a building to house the Cyprus High Commission in London.

Mr Chrysostomides said the Council of Ministers empowered the Minister of Finance to sign protocols of cooperation in the fields of research and development between Cyprus and France and Cyprus and Slovenia.

He added that the Council of Ministers discussed a draft agreement with the Syrian Arab Republic on the re-entrance of aliens in Cyprus who had originally entered the island illegally. He added that the negotiations were underway and when they were completed the Minister of Interior would sign the relevant agreement.

To a remark that the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs was studying the Annan plan with the prospect of submitting a new improved one, the Spokesman said that that would show when the negotiations resume on the basis of the Annan plan following the Secretary Generals invitation.

Invited to comment on the meeting held in Rome between the EU Troika and Turkey, Mr Chrysostomides said that (it was) a good initiative. There was an exchange of views mainly concerning the relations between Turkey and the European Union. I have to note that Mr Gul himself has admitted that the Cyprus problem is raised during all his conversations with European officials. This, I think, is very important and indicates that all European officials are trying to press on with Turkey that the Cyprus problem can be a serious obstacle in its European aspirations.

Asked to comment on German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeders statement that Turkey should be given a date to start accession negotiations, the Spokesman said that what Mr Schroeder had suggested was that Turkey should be given a date to start negotiations, but this would not mean that there was a framework within which the negotiations should be concluded.

He added that the final decision concerning accession negotiations with Turkey depended fully on the European Union, on Turkeys compliance with the Copenhagen criteria and with calls to contribute to a solution of the Cyprus problem.

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