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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-12-05Cyprus 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 UpdateFriday, 05/12/97CONTENTS[01] European Parliament adopts resolution on EU enlargementThe European Parliament has adopted a resolution on Thursday, 4.12.97, proposing the start of accession negotiations with the ten applicant countries.According to the resolution, accession negotiations will start for nine applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus. The 11th country, Slovakia, does not fulfil the Copenhagen political criteria on democratic institutions, according to the resolution. It proposes the start of intense accession negotiations with the five countries of Central and Eastern Europe, (Estonia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovenia) and Cyprus, according to an earlier European Commission decision. The resolution also suggests the holding of the European Conference, with the participation of all applicant countries including Turkey, but there is no commitment for Turkey's future accession. An amendment to be included in the resolution calls on Turkey to make substantial progress on the Cyprus problem, the Kurdish issue and on human rights. Europarliament's resolution will be submitted to the European Council in Luxembourg which will take the final decision on enlargement on 12-13 December. [02] President Clerides addressed Assembly of Greeks abroadCyprus President Glafcos Clerides was in Salonica on Thursday (4.12.97) where he addressed the First Assembly of the Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE).The 3-day biannual meeting was attended by delegates from 141 countries where Greek and Cypriot communities exist and was addressed by Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis and SAE president Andrew Athens. President Clerides in his speech referred to the Cyprus problem and said "we are at the initial stage of early initiatives which will culminate after the presidential elections". He said the solution which would be found, should secure the island's reunification, the withdrawal of foreign troops and the rights of all refugees to return to their homeland. The Cypriot President said Turkey knows that the "time of truth" was nearing and stressed that the key to the solution of the Cyprus problem was in Ankara. [03] New findings of Cyprus stolen treasuresMore Cyprus treasures were found by Bavarian Police in Munich in an appartement. Police was led to the new findings from documents in the possession of Aydin Dikmen, the Turkish art dealer connected to last October's discovery of invaluable Cyprus religious art, valued at tens of millions of US dollars.According to Bavarian Police forty boxes were found containing 130 icons, mosaics, twenty five fresco pieces which originated from the Monasteries of Panagia Kanakaria and Antifonitis, dating to 6th and 13th centuries respectively. Fifteen boxes contained findings from excavations, such as clay figurines, tools etc. [04] Cyprus signed Treaty for anti-personnel landminesCyprus has signed the Treaty prohibiting the Use, Storage, Production and Transport of anti-personnel landmines during a special ceremony at the Signing Summit convened by the Canadian Government in Ottawa.Cyprus Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Alecos Shambos signed the Treaty on behalf of the government. Addressing the Summit meeting, Mr Shambos underlined the importance of implementing this Treaty on humanitarian grounds and explained that Cyprus is particularly sensitive to the mines issue because the problem exists locally, following Turkey's invasion and continued occupation of 37% of its territory. He placed Cyprus's willingness to sing the agreement as part of the efforts of the Clerides government for complete demilitarisation of the island. [05] Media Seminar in NicosiaA Media Seminar took place in Nicosia on Thursday (4.12.97), organised by the Cyprus Section of the Association of European Journalists and the delegation of the EU Commission to Nicosia.Important speakers from the EU Commission such as Mr Lindsey Amstrong of the Directorate for Communication, Mr William Horsley, of the BBC and Mr Tudor Lomas of the EU Med-media programmes participated. Cyprus Foreign Minister addressing the seminar described the role of the media as "vital" in European integration and said: "They help in keeping European citizens informed and interested in what is being done in Brussels and ensure that their concerns are taken into account in designing the various policies for the future". He added that "the fact that media transcend national borders, facilitates cross-cultural contacts and fruitful cross-fertilisation of views and ideas". He also made special reference to the importance of bi-communal contacts. The Foreign Minister expressed regret over the fact that Turkish Cypriot journalists were not allowed by the illegal Turkish occupation regime to attend the seminar. 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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