Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-04-22

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

Thursday, 22 April 1999

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus is well advanced in harmonising and implementing the "acquis communautaire"
• [02] Russian opposition leader meets with President Clerides
• [03] British Government fully supportive of the accession of Cyprus to the EU

[01] Cyprus is well advanced in harmonising and implementing the "acquis communautaire"

According to the press statement issued at the conclusion of its 15th meeting in Paphos, the Joint Parliamentary Committee stressed that, as it was made clear by the European Commission, "the government of the Republic of Cyprus represents the whole island and that Turkish Cypriots should be able to participate in negotiations in line with the invitation by President Glafcos Clerides."

It was emphasised that all communities including the Turkish Cypriot community should benefit from the accession of Cyprus to the EU which in turn will "contribute actively to the process of peace and reconciliation on the island".

The Committee "deplored the fact that Cyprus is the only applicant country not currently receiving technical and financial support in the pre- accession period for implementing the acquis communautaire," and considered that special funding should be envisaged in the EU budget for this purpose.

It condemned the ongoing victimisation and harassment of the enclaved community in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, expressing "grave concern" about what it called the on-going ethnic cleansing.

It also expressed regret that progress has been halted by the regime in the occupied area of Cyprus concerning the identification of missing persons.

[02] Russian opposition leader meets with President Clerides

Speaking to the press after the meeting Mr Zyuganov said inter alia that he had an interesting conversation with President Clerides during which they discussed the situation in the Balkans, and expressed the view that efforts must be made so that the "bloodshed is stopped".

The Russian opposition leader also called on the President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou with whom they exchanged views on their recent visits to Belgrade.

[03] British Government fully supportive of the accession of Cyprus to the EU

Replying to questions on the accession of Cyprus in the House of Commons on March 3, Ms Quin said that "there is no veto on Cyprus joining in its present divided state but we continue to hope and indeed urge and act in such a way as to encourage progress to be made towards the resolution of the Cyprus problem because we always saw accession negotiations as providing an important stimulus towards that solution".

Asked whether the British Government is ready to give positive and full support to the admission of Cyprus in its present divided state, Ms Quin said that the British government is "fully supportive of the accession of Cyprus" but at the same time wants to encourage efforts towards a solution to the Cyprus problem. She also reiterated the British government's position that it rejects any question of Turkey having a veto on the entry of a divided Cyprus into the EU.

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

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