Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-03-12

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

Friday, 12 March 1999

CONTENTS

• [01] Rantzau: to move things forward, all sides should be willing to compromise
• [02] Thomas Miller: "there is not an automatic equation between will and results"
• [03] Turkey cannot veto Cyprus' accession to the EU

[01] Rantzau: to move things forward, all sides should be willing to compromise

Speaking at a press conference in Nicosia at the end of his five-day visit to Cyprus, Mr Rantzau said that by comparing the situation today with that of his last visit to the island in December 1998, the general impression he got was that the atmosphere has "hardened". He therefore leaves Cyprus "not optimistic at all".

"I have not been able to detect on either side a new flexibility or readiness to enter into a compromise", the special Representative of the German Presidency of the European Union.

The German envoy pointed out that he told both sides that " to move things forward, all sides concerned should be ready and willing to enter into a compromise".

In view of the situation Mr Rantzau said that he believed there was no point in putting forward any new proposals at the moment.

"As of today, no plans for any initiative on the part of the European Union" he said, adding that if one makes a proposal one must have at least a shred of hope it might fall on fruitful ground. His impression was that this ground did not exist at the moment.

[02] Thomas Miller: "there is not an automatic equation between will and results"

Speaking at a press conference afterwards, Mr Miller said: "My objective is to create an environment so as to get down to a serious negotiating process".

Moreover, departing from Cyprus yesterday, he reiterated that although the US are always willing to help efforts for a Cyprus settlement, yet "there is not an automatic equation between will and results".

"People often think if the US want to get it done they can get it done. It does not always work that way," he remarked.

Asked about his meeting with Denktash, Mr Miller said they had a "good exchange" of views, but admitted that "our views of the Cyprus problem are somewhat different" to those of the Turkish Cypriot leader. "There is no great secret about that," he added.

The American official stressed that he did not consider the Cyprus problem as the most intractable in the world. "I really do believe, and I think anyone in my job should believe that this is a problem that can be resolved, " he said.

Mr.Miller reiterated that the US supports a bizonal, bicommunal federation, stressing that "the UN resolutions are the basis".

Replying to a question on the prospects of a Cyprus settlement, he said: "you guys are looking for a sprint and this is a long long race".

[03] Turkey cannot veto Cyprus' accession to the EU

"We consider that the government should make it clear that Turkey does not have a veto over the accession of Cyprus, and that Cyprus, even in its present divided state, may therefore be admitted to the EU on the same basis as all other applicants.(paragraph 88)

The President of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Mr Donald Anderson replying to journalists' questions stressed that Britain solely recognises one international entity in the case of the Republic of Cyprus, namely the Government of Cyprus.

Moreover he emphasised that if Cyprus satisfies the Copenhagen criteria then it can move towards EU accession notwithstanding the physical fact of the division . He added that the efforts to reach a permanent settlement should be intensified.

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

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