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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-03-05Cyprus 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 UpdateThursday, 05/03/98CONTENTS
[01] EU Commissioner Van den Broek starts talks in CyprusGovernment Spokesman, Christos Stylianides, said a "useful exchange of views" took place at a meeting today between President Glafcos Clerides and European Union External Relations Commissioner, Hans Van den Broek, and British Special Representative for Cyprus and Representative for the EU presidency, Sir David Hannay.The two officials arrived in Cyprus yesterday for talks in view of preparations for the forthcoming start of Cyprus' accession negotiations with the EU on March 31. The Spokesman said that the National Council will convene tomorrow to brief party leaders about the outcome of both Mr Van den Broek and Sir David Hannay's contacts. Speaking on his arrival at Larnaca airport, the EU Commissioner stressed that "the common objective is for a peaceful, united Cyprus to become a member of the EU". He described as "a major challenge" the task of encouraging a process "which eventually leads to the whole of Cyprus becoming a member of the EU and both communities benefiting from it". Replying to questions, concerning the proposals submitted by the European Commission earlier yesterday regarding Turkey's European course, the EU Commissioner said: "Turkey has a key role to play, regarding the whole process of Cyprus' membership, if we are indeed to fulfil our common aspiration of the whole of the island benefiting from that membership." Asked to comment on the refusal of Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash to meet with him, Van den Broek said he regretted it, pointing out that, "without dialogue it is difficult to make progress". Welcoming the EU Commissioner to Cyprus, Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides expressed the hope that "we the Cypriots will respond ardently to the spirit and the letter of the conclusions of the Luxembourg summit". According to the conclusions of the Luxembourg European Council last December, the government of Cyprus is requested "to include representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community in the accession negotiating delegation". The Cyprus government has proposed Turkish Cypriot participation, provided that the Turkish Cypriot side accepts the principle of Cyprus' accession to the EU and the Turkish Cypriot representatives are part of the Republic's negotiating team. [02] Hannay says Turkish Cypriots have to be involved in Cyprus' EU accession negotiationsBritish Special Representative for Cyprus and Representative for the EU presidency, Sir David Hannay, said Cyprus' EU accession talks could not be conducted without the involvement of the Turkish Cypriots.The British envoy, who arrived on the island yesterday, said the issue was at the top of the agenda of talks he will have on the island during his second trip here in a week. He also said the EU and President Glafcos Clerides are pursuing exactly the same objective, "that is to say ideally, we would like to see a bizonal, bicommunal federal Cyprus joining the EU." "If that's to happen, the Turkish Cypriots have to be involved in the negotiations... The negotiations simply cannot be conducted without them." Hannay said accession talks would nevertheless begin as planned, even without the presence of the Turkish Cypriot side. "Of course you can start the negotiations without them - that may be forced upon us by (Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf) Denktash's attitude," he added. He said he would continue talks with the Cyprus government in the hope of resolving the issue of Turkish Cypriot participation in the accession process. [03] Government supports Turkish Cypriot participation in EU talksGovernment Spokesman Christos Stylianides, asked to comment on Sir David Hannay's statements, said today:"What is important for the Cyprus Republic is that accession negotiations will definitely start based on the (Luxembourg European) Council decision". Stylianides said the road to Europe, it seems, "will be made up of small but positive steps." In statements yesterday the Spokesman stressed that the Cyprus government wishes to see the Turkish Cypriots participate in the accession negotiations it will hold with the European Union, provided such a move does not undermine the status of the Republic and does not imply recognition of the self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime. He added that the government will consult with the political leadership, the Greek government and its legal experts to try and find a formula for Turkish Cypriot participation. The Spokesman also said that the status of former President, United Democrats leader George Vassiliou, who will head Cyprus' negotiating team in the accession talks, will be determined by the Council of Ministers on Friday. [04] Cyprus a high priority for the USThe US places Cyprus high on its political agenda and is ready to re-engage more actively in efforts to resolve the long-standing problem, US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told the Foreign Operations subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee yesterday.She said the US has assembled a very strong negotiating team on this and it is supporting the UN efforts to resolve the Cyprus dispute on the basis of the bizonal, bicommunal federation, through direct talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders. Referring to Cyprus' accession to the European Union, she said "part of this issue, as you know, has to do with Cypriot accession to the EU and the various problems in trying to assemble a delegation and trying to get those two processes working together." She also noted the US have been working very hard to "create a positive climate in which the UN settlement talks can resume," adding that she has tried to be involved in this. Albright's comments came in reply to a question by Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, who invited the Secretary of State to outline the administration's efforts to resolve the Cyprus question. [05] Cyprus to adopt national strategy on Information Society"Cyprus, within the framework of its accession course and following the example of the EU member-states, is ready to adopt a national strategy for the creation of an Information Society", Minister of Communications and Works, Leontios Ierodiaconou said yesterday.Addressing the four-day Euro-Med Net '98 Conference on the Internet and the World Wide Web which started in Nicosia yesterday, with the participation of 300 representatives from European and Mediterranean countries, and European Union (EU) officials, Mr Ierodiaconou said that the Information Society offers new opportunities, and outlined the objectives of the island's national strategy on the subject, and referred to the role of the state in shaping and implementing it. 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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