Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-03-11

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

Thursday, 11 March 1999

CONTENTS

• [01] Thomas Miller: there are some opportunities for a Cyprus settlement
• [02] Genscher :there is a German precedent to Cyprus's accession to the EU
• [03] Fourth Financial Protocol extended for another year

[01] Thomas Miller: there are some opportunities for a Cyprus settlement

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Mr Miller refrained from commenting on the substance of his talks, but confined himself to saying that with President Clerides they discussed a wide range of subjects.

Replying to a question on the outcome of his meetings in Ankara and other countries, he said: "we've had a lot of interesting conversations but the conversations aren't necessarily complete once you've finished the trip. Things move on from that. Some ideas that develop out of conversations reach fruition, blossom, and some ideas don't, we'll just have to see."

Earlier, in statements on his arrival Miller said that the United States could see some opportunities for a settlement of the Cyprus problem this year and expressed the hope that "we can take advantage of these opportunities."

"There are no breakthroughs at hand. We have been doing a lot of talking in Washington, a lot of talking with allies over the last couple of months. We see some opportunities out there and we also see dangers" he said, adding that "it's very unfortunate and we spend too much time sometimes working on the dangers, but I think we have to be able to have an environment that is conducive to a negotiating process."

Miller complained that every time he comes here the one or the other side "raises the bar" making his job even more difficult, and that his goal is "to get that bar lowered."

He reconfirmed that the US will continue to work towards a settlement: "We have made it abundantly clear many times that we the US and just about everyone in the international community are in favour of a bizonal, bicommunal federal settlement."

After his meeting with the President, the American envoy met with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, while today he is scheduled to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Mr Miller will fly to Athens on Friday to meet the new Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

[02] Genscher :there is a German precedent to Cyprus's accession to the EU

Mr Genscher was speaking at a congress on the "EU, the Agenda 2000 and the challenge of enlargement" held in Madrid between 9 -10 March.

[03] Fourth Financial Protocol extended for another year

This would enable Cyprus to make use of the remaining amounts of money allocated under the protocol.

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

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