Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-07-25

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

News Update

Friday, 25/07/97

CONTENTS

• [01] National Council says Greek Cypriot side must attend second round of talks

[01] National Council says Greek Cypriot side must attend second round of talks

For the first time, two small parties not represented in the Parliament, the Liberal party and New Horizons movement, took part in the meeting.

Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, said after the National Council session that the political leaders had all agreed that the Greek Cypriot side must participate in the second round of UN-led direct negotiations on the Cyprus question, between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash due to take place in Switzerland, from 11 to 16 August.

Christofides said the party leaders had each expressed their views on the revised document that Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on the Cyprus problem, Diego Cordovez presented to the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides during the first round of UN-led direct talks earlier this month in Troutbeck, New York, but that "no decision was taken on specific aspects."

The Spokesman said some parties have handed in written proposals on the Cordovez document, while others would do so before the next meeting of the National Council set for next Friday, 1 August, when "an in-depth discussion on all issues" would take place.

He said President Clerides had listened to the party leaders' views and will take them into consideration when he decides how to handle efforts for a Cyprus settlement.

Referring to a visit to Athens tomorrow by Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, and Attorney General, Alecos Markides, who is also one of the President's advisors in the negotiations, the Spokesman said they "will brief the Greek government on the meeting of the National Council and on issues regarding our stance during the second round of direct talks."

The spokesman added that the possibility of convening a National Council meeting in Athens would be discussed during the August 1 council session.

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

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