Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-09-18

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

News Update

Friday, 18/09/98

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus government replies to Turkish demands
• [02] European Parliament calls for withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus
• [03] Britain active in search for Cyprus settlement
• [04] EU says confederation not consistent with agreed objectives for Cyprus solution
• [05] Cyprus government's invitation to Turkish Cypriots for EU participation still open
• [06] New Czech Ambassador to Cyprus

[01] Cyprus government replies to Turkish demands

Mr Stylianides made the statement during his daily press briefing in reply to Turkish demands that Cyprus should abandon plans to deploy the Russian- made S-300 missiles.

Commenting on the Turkish Foreign Ministry's statement that "the only point that would be meaningful for Turkey is the complete scrapping of the missile order", Mr Stylianides said: "The reply is simple. President Glafcos Clerides has made a proposal for the demilitarisation of Cyprus...and UN resolutions urge towards this direction".

He added that if Turkey wishes to see the postponement of the deployment of new armaments, this is the only way.

The Government Spokesman stressed that the international community must realise that Turkey is refusing to participate in talks in this direction.

[02] European Parliament calls for withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus

"The European Parliament calls upon Turkey to contribute towards the resumption of bicommunal talks on the basis of UN resolutions and High Level Agreements for a bizonal, bicommunal federation and to take concrete steps towards the withdrawal of military forces from Cyprus so that the general demilitarisation of the island can be promoted."

The resolution accompanies a report by British EuroMP Mr McMillan-Scott concerning the development of relations between Turkey and the European Union.

A paragraph proposed by the Liberal group was also added, expressing concern over Turkey's stance in relation to efforts for a Cyprus settlement, pointing out that it complicates relations with the EU even more.

The resolution also refers to Greco-Turkish relations, the Kurdish problem, the human rights situation in the country and Turkey's application for accession to the EU.

[03] Britain active in search for Cyprus settlement

Peter Rickets, Deputy Political Director at the British Foreign Office said after a meeting with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, that they had a detailed discussion "about ways with which we can push forward the UN process in Cyprus", adding that Britain "will continue to work actively to that end."

He also said that at the moment Britain is working closely with the American as well as the Cyprus, Greek and Turkish governments to reach an agreement on the practical content of a moratorium of military overflights.

"Britain could play an important role in this direction", he said, adding that they are working on the practical arrangements that would make a moratorium of military flights over Cyprus possible.

[04] EU says confederation not consistent with agreed objectives for Cyprus solution

"The European Union welcomes all attempts to contribute constructively to a settlement for Cyprus. However, a confederation of separate sovereign states is not consistent with the objective of a bizonal, bicommunal federation agreed by both communities in the 1977 and 1979 High Level Agreements and set out in all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions".

In a written reply to a question by Greek Europarliamentarian Mr Theonas on the Turkish proposal for the creation of a confederation of two states in Cyprus, the European Council states that it remains fully committed to a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem and supports the efforts of the UN in creating a bicommunal bizonal federation.

[05] Cyprus government's invitation to Turkish Cypriots for EU participation still open

Receiving the credentials of the new EU Head of Delegation in Cyprus, Donato Giovanni Chiarini, President Clerides pointed out that the road towards accession offers new possibilities and new avenues for cooperation between the two communities of Cyprus.

"We firmly believe that the process and prospect of accession is an important stimulus which should facilitate the efforts of finding a solution to the political problem which has tormented my country and its people for so many years," he said.

Presenting his credentials, Ambassador Chiarini said that "Cyprus is considered the most diligent "pupil" of the group of candidate countries in terms of the quality and thoroughness of the work done so far".

The EU Ambassador pointed out that the Commission is "particularly pleased with the highly constructive attitude and the spirit of cooperation that Cyprus has shown during the screening exercise which started last April", adding that the positions Cyprus submitted last week in Brussels on a considerable part of the acquis "have been met with a very positive appreciation."

[06] New Czech Ambassador to Cyprus

The country's new Ambassador to Cyprus, Ms Vera Jerabkova, presenting her credentials to President Glafcos Clerides at the Presidential Palace yesterday, said that over the five years of her country's independence, the Czech Republic has continued to develop the traditional friendly co- operation with Cyprus.

The new Ambassador underlined that, in the forthcoming period, accession to the European Union will be a matter of top priority for both countries, and assured that her country "will help to create international conditions conducive to a fair settlement in Cyprus".

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

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