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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-04-02Cyprus 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, 02/04/98CONTENTS[01] US and Russian envoys in CyprusPresident Clerides will be meeting later this afternoon with US State Department Special Co-ordinator Thomas Miller and Russian envoy Vladimir Tchizov who arrive on the island today.According to reports, US Presidential Emissary, Richard Holbrooke, is also expected in Cyprus for a three-day visit starting tomorrow. Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides, who was asked about Holbrooke's visit, said the government does not have any specific information about what issues he is likely to raise. "The primary objective of Holbrooke's visit is probably to attempt to restart the intercommunal dialogue," he said. Mr Stylianides was speaking after a meeting of the National Council, whose discussions mainly centred on a proposal to set up a Council of National Policy. The Spokesman said that no decisions had been taken and that the Council would probably meet again on 14 April to continue the exchange of views on the matter. He said the President briefed party leaders about the current political situation and Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides informed Council members about the start of accession talks with the European Union earlier this week. [02] EU says accession talks with Cyprus will continue despite Turkish protestsEU Council President and British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, addressing the first session of the intergovernmental conference on Tuesday, expressed regret that a political solution to the Cyprus problem had not been achieved in time for Cyprus' accession negotiations with the European Union.He welcomed President Clerides' offer for Turkish Cypriot participation in the talks, which was considered "fair and generous" and repeated the importance the EU attaches to "associating the Turkish Cypriots with the accession process", stressing the Union's resolve to "pursue the necessary contacts" with them. "Of course we would prefer to see a united Cyprus enter the European Union but the government in Nicosia cannot of itself achieve that settlement. That requires the participation and co-operation of the Turkish Cypriot community as well and we very much regret that Mr Denktash has turned down the offer", Mr Cook said. Mr Cook said that a political settlement would allow the provisions of the Accession Treaty to be implemented throughout the island. "Cyprus's accession should benefit all communities, including the Turkish Cypriot community and help to bring about civil peace and reconciliation on the island." He added that Cyprus would be allowed room for transitional measures but only in exceptional circumstances and with a time-limit in mind. He reaffirmed "full support" for UN efforts to reach a negotiated settlement, adding that "progress towards accession and towards a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem will naturally reinforce each other". Moreover, speaking in a press conference the British Foreign Secretary gave at the end of the separate meetings with the six applicant states, together with EU Commissioner for External Relations, responsible for enlargement, Hans Van den Broek, Mr Cook reaffirmed that accession negotiations will proceed contrary to Turkish claims that they are blocking the way towards a Cyprus settlement. Mr Cook repeated that "Cyprus' application must be judged on its own merits and those merits are strong". He said "Cyprus has worked hard to bring its laws into line with the European acquis, it has a fully functioning market economy and a higher standard of living than any of the other applicant countries". He expressed the hope that some progress will be achieved towards finding a settlement to the Cyprus problem by the time of the Association Council, towards the end of May. EU Commissioner, Hans Van den Broek, said that negotiations with Cyprus are going to start and to continue, adding that the EU does not feel that it is productive for Turkey to continue to protest against that. [03] Security Council briefedThe UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser for Cyprus, Mr Diego Cordovez briefed on 31 March the UN Security Council, on his recent visit to Cyprus, Athens and Ankara. He also informed them about the meeting he had with special foreign envoys on the Cyprus problem in Geneva, as well as on the meeting the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had there with Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Denktash.The members of the Council in a statement expressed "strong support for the UN process and supported also the efforts of Mr. Cordovez in the framework of the mission of good offices of the Secretary-General to make progress towards a settlement of the long-running dispute." They also underlined the need "for an early resumption of the direct talks between the two parties." [04] Greece calls on Turkish Cypriots to reconsiderGreece's Government Spokesman Dimitris Reppas has called on the Turkish Cypriots to respond positively, even now, to President Clerides' invitation to them to join the Cyprus-EU accession negotiations.Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, instead of following the road of reason and responsibility, are taking the Turkish Cypriot people along a road that leads to a dead end, he said in statements on Tuesday 31.3.98 regarding the opening of the negotiations in Brussels. "Cyprus' entry into the European Union concerns the whole of the people of the island. It would be of particular benefit to the Turkish Cypriots, offering them a higher standard of living", he said. 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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