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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-07-14Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>News UpdateMonday, 14 /07/ 97CONTENTS[01] First round of Cyprus direct talks concludedThe first round of UN-led direct talks between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, which began on July 9th, was concluded on Saturday (12.7.97) at Troutbeck, upstate New York.Diego Cordovez, the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser, who conducted the talks at Troutbeck, was expected to give a press conference at UN Headquarters on Monday (14.7.97) at noon, local time, on the outcome of the talks and on plans about a second round at Montreux, Switzerland between 11- 16 August. President Clerides was scheduled to meet US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus Richard Holbrooke on Monday morning and then Sweden's Foreign Minister Lena Hjelm-Walleen and the country's Representative to the UN, Peter Osvald. Sweden is currently presiding over the UN Security Council. No joint statement was issued at the end of the negotiating round which was widely accepted to have been preliminary, aiming towards setting up the agenda, leading to more substantive talks during the second round. The two Cypriot leaders were however presented by Mr Cordovez with a document on Friday (11.7.97) setting out the main aspects of the Cyprus problem. As it was disclosed on Saturday, a second, revised document was again presented during the talks, following remarks made by each side on the first document. Speaking on Saturday afternoon, in Poughkeepsie after briefing party leaders, President Clerides said "the two sides submitted observations on the paper we were given and today we were given a new revised paper". "We shall discuss this paper in Cyprus at a National Council meeting (top advisory body to the President on Cyprus), on July 24, and respond to it before the next round of talks, in August", he said, stressing that the paper which was submitted on Friday "is not yet a proposal". "This is a non-paper and will become a paper if and when there is agreement", President Clerides explained. He added "there have been some amendments made" and points were modified. Asked by reporters to assess the outcome of this first round of talks, the President said "we are still at a very preliminary stage, we do not as yet have a joint statement because we have not reached agreement on a paper". Earlier, President Clerides said of the talks: "I am satisfied that a good atmosphere was created" through contact between the leaders of the two communities, the relaxed conversation and discussions held in a civilised climate. [02] Cyprus President to meet with British Prime MinisterPresident Glafcos Clerides is scheduled to have a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair tomorrow Tuesday (15.7.97), the main focus of which will be the UN-sponsored direct talks on resolving the Cyprus problem.British High Commissioner to Nicosia David Madden said the essence of the meeting is that "they will update and take stock of developments in the Cyprus problem". Asked if Clerides and Blair will review the outcome of this round of talks, Madden replied "no doubt" and added "but this is very much a first contact between the President and the Prime Minister". Speaking to Cyprus news agency (CNA) he added: "The two leaders have not had a chance to meet since Blair was elected and this is an opportunity for them to meet". [03] European Youth Congress held in CyprusThe 17th Congress of the Democrat Youth Community of Europe (DEMYC), began last Friday (11.7.97), at the southern coastal resort of Protaras.The meeting which dealt with "Peace, stability and co-operation in Europe towards the 21st century" was organised by NEDISY, the Youth Organisation of ruling right-wing Democratic Rally party (DISY). Among some 120 participants at the Congress, comprising 42 youth organisations of European Christian Democratic and Conservative parties, are deputies of these parties as well as Euro MPs. Keynote speaker on Saturday evening was European Union's (EU) ambassador to Cyprus, Gilles Anouil, who referred to Cyprus' course for accession to the EU and its prospects. DEMYC's meeting was followed by a five-day summer school that will look into the role of "Young people towards the conflicts in the Eastern Mediterranean basin". (C) 1997 Cyprus PIO. All Rights ReservedFrom the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |