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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-08-11Cyprus 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, 11/08/97CONTENTS
[01] US welcomes UN Cyprus talks in MontreuxIn a statement on 8.8.97 by US State Department Spokesman James Rubin, the United States "welcomes the second round of UN sponsored direct talks between Cypriot leaders Clerides and Denktash from August 11 to August 16 in Glion, Montreux, Switzerland."The statement says that "the US strongly supports the UN negotiations process to resolve the Cyprus dispute. The ultimate objective continues to be a comprehensive settlement that will establish a bizonal, bicommunal federation for Cyprus. The Glion talks are a continuation of the direct talks held in Troutbeck New York from July 9-13. The Special Adviser of the Secretary General on Cyprus, Mr. Diego Cordovez, will host the talks. Moreover, the US "urges the parties to work towards a positive outcome that bridges the differences dividing the two communities in Cyprus." Lastly, the statement informs that US Ambassador to Cyprus, Kenneth Brill, will represent the United States in Glion. "The US is not a participant in the direct talks themselves". [02] Second round of UN-led talks beginsCyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash arrived at Glion-sur-Montreux, Switzerland, yesterday (10.8.97), for the second round of the UN-sponsored direct talks that begin today.Speaking to the press upon his departure at Larnaca airport President Clerides said he has "the support of all political parties" on certain issues. "First, to go to the talks, second, to submit our remarks on the second Gordovez document and third, to go there with good will to discuss the fundamental aspects of the Cyprus problem", he said. When asked to comment on the conditions which the Turkish Cypriot side is expected to raise during the Montreux talks, that is to halt membership talks with the European Union and shelve the planned deployment of the Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missile system, the President stressed that he has commented on these issues repeatedly in the past and therefore he saw no reason to repeat what has already been said. UN Deputy Special Representative for Cyprus, Gustave Feissel, who is also attending the talks, before departing for Switzerland said about the two sides "it's very important that they have a common view and common position on how we move forward from here towards the overall settlement, the work that needs to be done during the coming period". The objective of the talks is for the two communities to create "new constitutional and institutional structures which will allow the people of both Cypriot communities to live together in peace", said a UN press release last week. [03] Aim of Greek Cypriot side is to make progress and find a solutionGovernment Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, made the following statement to the Press at Montreux, Switzerland, on 10th August 1997:"We are attending the talks with absolute good faith and a spirit of co- operation with a single aim in mind: to make progress in the Cyprus problem and find a solution. We believe this process offers an opportunity for a settlement without this meaning, of course, that we will reach a settlement in this round of talks. The modalities of the talks as well as the presence of special representatives of the countries which are following the talks demonstrate the keen interest of the international community and its desire to assist in a settlement of the Cyprus problem." The Government Spokesman also said that the talks will continue as long as there is progress and will not take place for the sake of talks. The Spokesman recalled that the resolutions of the United Nations and other organizations consider partition as unacceptable. [04] Turkish claims that Cyprus cannot accede to EU refuted by Attorney GeneralThe Attorney-General, Mr. Alecos Markides, has expressed strong disagreement over the opinion of British Professor Maurice Mendelson which claims that, under the provisions of the Treaty of Guarantee, Cyprus is not permitted to accede to the European Union before Turkey is admitted. The relevant paragraph of the Treaty of Guarantee stipulates: "It (the Republic of Cyprus) undertakes not to participate, in whole or in part, in any political or economic union with any state whatsoever".Professor Mendelson had been assigned by the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" to give an opinion on the matter. In a statement on 8 August, the Attorney-General said he radically disagreed with the opinion of Prof. Mendelson. He added: "The Treaty of Guarantee of the Republic of Cyprus does not prohibit Cyprus' accession to the European Union. What the Treaty of Guarantee prohibits is the union of Cyprus with any other state. The European Union is not a state. In any case, Turkey has no right to invoke the Treaty of Guarantee which she herself has fundamentally violated and continues to violate daily. Under the Treaty of Guarantee, Turkey has a basic legal obligation to respect the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. However, Turkey does not respect the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. This is obvious from the facts which in this respect speak for themselves. Therefore, Turkey cannot invoke the Treaty of Guarantee. Furthermore, Prof. Mendelson's view has not been accepted by the European Union and it cannot be accepted by the United Nations either. The United Nations, through the Security Council, which is the competent body, has welcomed the decision of the European Union to start accession talks with the Republic of Cyprus, describing this decision as helpful to efforts to find a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem (Security Council Resolution 1062). Therefore the United Nations has already taken a stand on the matter". [05] "Agreement between Turkey and pseudostate is legally invalid"Attorney General Alecos Markides said that an accord signed on 6.8.97 between Turkey and the pseudostate for partial integration is legally invalid.In an interview to the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation Radio, Mr. Markides explained that "the actions of a non-existent state do not produce legitimate results and cannot be recognized. He added, however, that this does not mean that such actions should not be dealt with because they lead to the realization of Turkish ploys against Cyprus. Moreover, he said that by this action Turkey proves that it is not willing to solve the Cyprus problem. [06] Statistical Abstract, 1995The Department of Statistics and Research has announced the publication of the 41st issue of the "Statistical Abstract" for the year 1995.The Abstract provides comprehensive statistical information on a time series basis since 1960 covering all the sectors of the economy of Cyprus. From 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 |
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