Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-07-16

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

News Update

Wednesday, 16/07/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus included in the European Agenda 2000 for accession talks
• [02] Excrept from the "European Agenda 2000" referring to Cyprus
• [03] Cyprus President met with British Prime Minister
• [04] US believes Cyprus talks were positive and useful
• [05] Cyprus talks a step forward, Holbrooke says

[01] Cyprus included in the European Agenda 2000 for accession talks

"The Agenda 2000 package recalls that the Commission delivered a favourable opinion in 1993 on Cyprus's application for membership and the European Council has reaffirmed on several occasions that accession negotiations should start six months after the conclusions of the IGC. The division of the island of course raises problems in the context of enlargement fut we hope that the prospect of accession will provide a catalyst to bring about a just and lasting settlement.

Face to face talks begain last week in New York under United Nations auspices between President Clerides and Mr Denktash and we hope that this will begin a process leading to a settlement. There are also encouraging signs of progress between Greece and Turkey to solve their bilateral problems without recourse to force. A settlement of the Cyprus problem will permit a faster conclusion to accession negotiations and these negotiations will be facilitated if sufficient progress is made towards a settlement to permit representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community to be involved in the accession process".

Mr van den Broek explained also: "It is important to recall that there is no necessary link between the number of countries with wjhich the Union begins negotiations and the number of countries that eventually join the Union in a first wave. Each negotiation is separate and pursues its own course at a rhythm which is determined by the complexity of the issues to be resolved. Thus if we begin negotiations with six applicants (including Cyprus), this does not necessarily imply that all six will become members on the same date".

The EU Commissioner underlined: "In presenting our recommendations to the Council, the Parliament, and above all, to the applicants themselves, it is particularly important that we place them in the context of the overall enlargement process from which no applicant is excluded. The message is that all the applicants will become members of the European Union when they have satisfied the conditions and the negotiations have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion".

Referring to Turkey's aspirations to join the Union Hans van den Broek said:

Agenda 2000 confirms Turkey's eligibility for EU membership as indicated at the recent Association Council. The Commission points out that macro- economic instability in Turkey is a source of concern and that, above all, major improvements in the political situation, in particular in the protection of human rights, still need to be made. Good neighbourly relations between Greece and Turkey should to be established and we are looking to Turkey to contribute actively to a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus.

The Commission was asked by the Council to reflect on ways in which relations with Turkey could be further developed, building on the customs union. We approved a Communication on this yesterday which is also being sent to Parliament. The customs union is working well and enabled the EU to achieve a $10 billion trade surplus last year. In our Communication, we explore ways in which cooperation linked to the customs union can be further developed.

[02] Excrept from the "European Agenda 2000" referring to Cyprus

In July 1993 the Commission delivered a favourable opinion on Cyprus's application for membership. The European Council subsequently reaffirmed on several occasions, most recently at Florence in June 1996, that accession negotiations with Cyprus should start six months after the conclusion of the IGC.

1. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

In its 1993 opinion the Commission noted the Republic of Cyprus's advanced level of development and economic dynamism. This still holds good with full employment (2.5% jobless rate), moderate inflation (3%) and public debt standing at 53% of GNP in 1996. The southern part of the island should not encounter any major problems in adopting the acquits communautaire or in coping with competition inside the EU. However, there is a need to align regulations and practices in the financial sector more fully with those which apply in the Union and to reinforce co-operation and controls in all areas of justice and home affairs.

In northern Cyprus the trends observed by the Commission in 1993 remain unchanged. Average income per capita is about ECU 3 600 per annum, one third of that of the southern part of the island. The economy is becoming increasingly dependent on the public sector, which ultimately means financial transfers from Turkey. Investments remain low despite its human and natural resources.

2. PROSPECTS FOR A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT

The 1993 Opinion noted the continuing division of Cyprus. Efforts since then, chiefly under UN auspices, to work towards a political settlement, in accordance with various UN proposals, have not achieved much progress. The UN conducted intensive contacts with the leaders of the two communities during the first half of 1997 which have now led to face to face talks between them under UN auspices. There is a chance to make progress before the Presidential elections due in Cyprus in February 1998.

The shape of a settlement, establishing a bicommunal and bizonal federation, is well established, and supported by the Union. A number of options for constitutional and territorial arrangements to implement it have been explored, and the beginnings of a possible consensus have sometimes been discernible. But there has not hitherto been sufficient incentive for the two communities to reach agreement.

The Union is determined to play a positive role in bringing about a just and lasting settlement in accordance with the relevant United Nations Resolutions. The status quo which is at odds with international law, threatens the stability of the island, the region and has implications for the security of Europe as a whole. The Union cannot, and does not wish to, interfere in the institutional arrangements to be agreed between the parties. But it is available to advise on the compatibility of such arrangements with the acquis of the Union. The prospect of accession, whose political and economic advantages are now becoming clear to Turkish Cypriots as well as to Greek Cypriots, can in itself provide such an incentive.

3. RELATIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION

The timetable agreed for accession negotiations to start with Cyprus means that they could start before a political settlement in reached .The Union shares the view expressed by the UN Secretary General, that the decision to open negotiations should be seen as a positive development which could promote the search for a political settlement.

Negotiations on accession would be facilitated if sufficient progress is made between the parties in contacts this year under the auspices of the United Nations to allow representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community to be involved in the accession process. Agreement on a political settlement would permit a faster conslucion to the negotiations. If progress towards a settlement is not made before the negotiations are due to begin, they should be opened with the government of the Republic of Cyprus, as the only authority recognised by international law.

[03] Cyprus President met with British Prime Minister

President Clerides told reporters afterwards: "We discussed the current phase of the Cyprus problem, the difficulties we face and ways to overcome these difficulties".

He described the meeting as "very friendly" and added they exchanged views on current developments concerning the Cyprus questions.

Replying to questions, President Clerides said it was only "natural" that they also discussed Cyprus' course for accession to the European Union (EU).

He noted that the British government had publicly declared its firm support to the island's bid to join the EU.

President Clerides confirmed he had himself proposed to meet in Cyprus again with Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, to discuss humanitarian issues, including that of missing persons.

A spokeswoman from the Prime Minister's office described the meeting as friendly and said President Clerides "set out his views on the UN talks". She pointed out that the British Prime Minister expressed his country's commitment to the talks.

The two men "discussed the possibility for progress" at the UN talks, as well as Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

"The Prime Minister said that he welcomed the prospect but it was clear it would be easier if there was a settlement to the political problem", the spokeswoman noted.

She also said that Blair "encouraged President Clerides to look at ways of reducing tension with the Turkish Cypriots".

[04] US believes Cyprus talks were positive and useful

On the second round of talks, Burns said "the United States would certainly support a second round of talks, if that can be agreed to. We hope very much it will be agreed to".

The State Department spokesman announced that US Presidential Emissary on Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke, will be travelling to Western Europe in two weeks' time to consult with US allies on the Cyprus problem, but will not visit Cyprus or the east Mediterranean region for now.

Burns explained that Holbrooke feels that it is not yet appropriate for him to visit either Cyprus, Greece or Turkey because the US primarily wants to support the current United Nations effort on Cyprus.

Asked about a European Union (EU) announcement on the start of accession talks with Cyprus and if the US feels this is helpful in the current UN-led peace process, the State Department spokesman said the US has long been in favour of EU enlargement and has supported the idea that Cyprus and Turkey "ought to be associated with the European Union".

[05] Cyprus talks a step forward, Holbrooke says

Speaking to reporters in New York late on Monday (14.7.97) after separate meetings with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denkash, Holbrooke said it was "pretty clear" a wide gap still exists between the two sides.

His comments echoed those of UN special envoy Diego Cordovez who said the gap was still "enormous".

But like Cordovez, Holbrooke said he was optimistic about further progress.

"I'm really glad the two leaders met with each other -that is a step forward", Holbrooke said.

Asked whether a joint declaration by the two leaders was in the offing, Holbrooke said: "I think they have a long way to go before they agree on a declaration".

The United Nations is hoping for agreement on a joint declaration at the next round of talks, tentatively set for August 11-16 in either Geneva or Montreux in Switzerland.

Until then each side will work separately on a 'non-paper' given to them by Cordovez during the recent direct talks at Troutbeck in upstate New York.

Holbrooke said the United States would not be intervening at this stage, but that it intended to help by showing "a great deal of interest and keeping involved with everyone".

"We are doing what we can, but we are not going to be very visible right now. This is a UN show for the time being", he said.

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

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