Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-10-21

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

News Update

Wednesday, 21/10/98

CONTENTS

• [01] British Prime Minister says Cyprus problem can only be solved peacefully
• [02] Cyprus Foreign Minister on official visit to Egypt
• [03] Australian Labour Party support just Cyprus solution

[01] British Prime Minister says Cyprus problem can only be solved peacefully

"The British government is committed to using the UK's unique position as a guarantor power, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and as a member of the European Union to do all it can to assist the people of Cyprus to achieve a just settlement on the island," Blair said in a latter to Haris Sophoclides, President of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots.

"It is only through peaceful dialogue that the division of the island can be ended," Blair said, urging all sides to "refrain from acts of violence and aggression and to co-operate fully with the UN".

Referring to the Turkish Cypriot proposal for a confederation in Cyprus, Blair said: "We have made it clear that a confederation of separate sovereign states is not consistent with the objective of a bicommunal bizonal federation agreed by both communities in the 1977 and 1979 High Level Agreements and set out in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions."

He said both the UN Security Council and the international community "have repeatedly endorsed the UN Secretary-general's efforts to promote negotiations aiming at a bizonal, bicommunal federation".

"The UK continues to work actively in conjunction with the international partners in support of UN efforts to bring about a resumption of negotiations between the two parties on that basis," Mr Blair said.

The British Prime Minister also said his government and its EU partners had made it clear that the accession of Cyprus to the EU should benefit both communities, reinforce efforts towards a settlement and help bring about peace and reconciliation.

He also expressed Britain's desire to see a reduction of tensions in the Aegean between Greece and Turkey.

[02] Cyprus Foreign Minister on official visit to Egypt

Mr Kasoulides will convey a personal message from President Glafcos Clerides to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

The two ministers will discuss bilateral relations and regional problems and will sign an agreement for the promotion and protection of investments.

The minister will be accompanied by the President of the Cyprus Stock Exchange, Dinos Papadopoulos, who will sign a memorandum between the Cyprus and Egyptian Stock Exchanges with his Egyptian counterpart.

Speaking at Larnaca airport before his departure, Mr Kasoulides said he would be asking Egypt to exert its influence on Turkey as regards the Cyprus question.

[03] Australian Labour Party support just Cyprus solution

Australian Labour Party leader, John Brubi, speaking at a Cypriot community event, has said that it is truly sad that the occupation of 37 per cent of Cyprus is still continuing after so many years.

He expressed support for a just solution to the Cyprus problem which would secure a united Cyprus and which would provide for the withdrawal of all occupying forces and the end of the occupation, the safeguarding of the right to property , free movement and work throughout the whole of the island, as well as the ascertainment of the fate of the missing persons.

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

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