Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-07-28

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

News Update

Monday, 28/07/97

CONTENTS

• [01] This is the time for a solution, says Greek Foreign Minister
• [02] Slovenia joins UNFICYP

[01] This is the time for a solution, says Greek Foreign Minister

Greece believes there is an opportunity to reach a solution through the UN- sponsored peace effort and Mr Pangalos said the Greek government is determined to stand by the Cypriot government using all its contacts and work for a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus.

"We believe that with the beginning of EU-Cyprus accession talks early next year the Cyprus problem should be settled", Mr Pangalos added.

The Greek Foreign Minister underlined that despite Turkey's intransigence there is still a possibility for a solution. He hopes that Turkey's decision for a solution will be positive since the country is in need of an international climate in its favour.

Foreign Minister Kasoulides said after the meeting "we are hoping for a solution of the Cyprus problem based on international law and human rights. We repeat our political will to negotiate in a positive and constructive spirit for the settlement".

On his return, Kasoulides noted "the exchange of views with the Greek government showed a convergence of opinion on almost all the issues at hand" and said he briefed his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos on the latest developments, ahead of the forthcoming negotiations.

[02] Slovenia joins UNFICYP

The proposal arose originally from the government of Austria that a small number of Slovene personnel be included in the primarily Austrian unit deployed in the easternmost sector of the United Nations buffer zone in Cyprus. This is in the context of co-operation between Austria and neighbouring countries in peacekeeping.

Since June 1997, UNFICYP has comprised of 1,173 troops and 35 civilian police. The military personnel are from Argentina (396), Austria (315), Canada (2), Finland (1), Hungary (39), Ireland (32) and the United Kingdom (388), while the police are from Australia (20) and Ireland (15). In addition, UNFICYP has a civilian complement of 335, of whom 40 are recruited internationally, and 295 locally.

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

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