Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-12-14

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

Monday, 14 December 1998

CONTENTS

• [01] Vienna EU Presidency conclusions refer to Cyprus
• [02] Clerides and Simitis meeting
• [03] Cyprus is way ahead of other EU candidate countries in harmonisation process
• [04] Miller expects move on Cyprus soon

[01] Vienna EU Presidency conclusions refer to Cyprus

The EU position is outlined in the conclusions of the Austrian presidency at the EU summit conference held in Vienna on 11 and 12 December.

In a separate paragraph specifically on Cyprus, the EU Council "reaffirms its support for the efforts of the UN Secretary General for an overall settlement of the Cyprus problem and in particular for the process which his Deputy Special Representative has developed with a view to reduce tensions and achieve progress towards a just and permanent solution."

On enlargement, the EU Presidency notes "with satisfaction that the six accession conferences with Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia have entered into substantive negotiations and reached the first concrete results". It calls on the Council and the Commission "to maintain the momentum in order to permit intensive negotiations in the first half of 1999."

[02] Clerides and Simitis meeting

Cyprus Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said the two men briefed each other about various issues and assessed the Vienna conclusions as far as Cyprus' accession course is concerned.

Mr Stylianides welcomed the reference Cyprus in the Presidency conclusions, describing it as "very satisfactory", particularly as it made no link between Cyprus' accession process and efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

Replying to questions, Mr Stylianides said Cyprus is ready to participate "in a constructive and positive manner in any attempt to reduce tension and military forces."

[03] Cyprus is way ahead of other EU candidate countries in harmonisation process

President Clerides had a brief meeting on Thursday evening in Vienna with the EU Commissioner, who also expressed the view that Cyprus has the ability to overcome any difficulties relating to the Maastricht criteria.

Moreover, replying to questions during a press conference, the Commissioner said that the EU told Ankara that it must comply with its criteria, on issues such as human rights, and must help efforts for a settlement to the Cyprus and the Kurdish questions if its application for membership is to be advanced.

Invited to comment on Mr Van den Broek's statements, Cyprus Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said Mr Van den Broek was urging Turkey to behave towards the Cyprus problem in accordance with the European spirit and the December 1997 Luxembourg conclusions.

"Turkey has to realise that the Cyprus problem is a thorn in Turkey's relations with the EU", Mr Stylianides said, stressing that Ankara should take this into serious consideration and assist efforts for a solution to the Cyprus question and reducing tension on the island.

[04] Miller expects move on Cyprus soon

In statements on leaving the island after a 24 hour visit here, Mr Miller said: "There are no specific results to report right now. We are in the middle of a process".

"You'll see the results of that process when the process is over," he added.

Miller expressed the conviction that his current round of contacts in the region, would soon bring results.

"I would just urge you to wait and see what our efforts turn out to be, it's not going to be that long."

Referring to the Russian missile deal, the US diplomat said:

"Clearly that's an issue, that's a topic for discussion and I'm not going to deny that we discussed that, but there's a much bigger issue out there and not just the missiles."

"The Cypriot government is well aware of our views on this, and we're working very closely with them on this issue."

While in Cyprus Mr Miller met UN resident representative Dame Ann Hercus at the US embassy in Nicosia and in the presence reportedly of US ambassador Kenneth Brill and British High Commissioner David Madden.

The US diplomat left for Athens for high level talks with the Greek government along with US Presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke. From there he will fly on to Istanbul to attend a meeting of Turkish and Greek Cypriot businessmen. Miller said he would not be meeting Turkish officials in Istanbul.

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

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