Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-06-13

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

Friday, 13/06/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Foreign Minister in Japan
• [02] Government agrees with Holbrooke that situation in Cyprus is volatile
• [03] A solution will ease Cyprus' EU entry, Britain says
• [04] Clerides congratulates Yeltsin
• [05] Hannay briefs Kranidiotis

[01] Foreign Minister in Japan

Kasoulides was received yesterday by Crown Prince Naruhito and had separate meetings with the chairman and members of the Cyprus-Japan parliamentary friendship group, whom he briefed on the latest developments in efforts to settle the Cyprus question.

The Minister, heading a Cypriot delegation to Tokyo, discussed with officials of the Japanese Overseas Trade Organisation ways to boost existing trade and economic ties between Cyprus and Japan.

Kasoulides will fly to Moscow on Saturday for an official visit, returning home on Tuesday.

[02] Government agrees with Holbrooke that situation in Cyprus is volatile

"This is logical", Government spokesman Manolis Christofides said yesterday in response to statements made by Holbrooke on Wednesday. "Whereas for the past 23 years nobody was concerned about the situation in Cyprus, now the UN consider Cyprus an arsenal of weapons, incompatible with the size of the island".

"There is peace, but there is also great risk of an explosion. Holbrooke underlines US concerns about such an eventuality because the US has vital interests in this region and two allies and friends (Greece and Turkey), who should not enter into conflict," Christofides said.

Christofides also told his daily press briefing that no agenda for the talks had been included in the invitations UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had sent Clerides and Denktash on Wednesday, but that it would be set at the first meeting on 9 July.

[03] A solution will ease Cyprus' EU entry, Britain says

"It is though undoubtedly true that if that division were ended, it would greatly help to ease the negotiations of entry into the European Union.

In a speech to the London Diplomatic Corps annual reception at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Wednesday (11.6.97), he said the prospect of European Union membership makes the search for a solution to the Cyprus problem more urgent and necessary than ever before.

He said Britain is active in support of the UN Secretary-General's search for a settlement.

"We look forward to the start of direct talks in the next month and we will urge all parties to come to the negotiations in a constructive and positive frame of mind. If the common will is there, a solution can be found," the Foreign Secretary added.

[04] Clerides congratulates Yeltsin

Clerides sent a congratulatory telegram to Russian President Boris Yeltsin yesterday on the occasion of the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of the State Sovereignty of the Russian Federation.

"We greatly appreciate the support of Russia in our efforts to reunify Cyprus on the basis of UN resolutions and the principles of international law and we trust that this valuable support will continue," the Cypriot President said.

[05] Hannay briefs Kranidiotis

The talks focused on developments in the Cyprus problem, with Sir David briefing Mr. Kranidiotis on his contacts on the island.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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