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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-05-20Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>Thursday, 20 May 1999CONTENTS
[01] Kassoulides: Cyprus will contribute to the stability and welfare of the big European familyForeign Minister Ioannis Kassoulides stressed last Tuesday that «Cyprus feels confident that as a full member of the European Union, it will contribute to the stability and welfare of the big European family, regardless of its small size». Because of its strategic position, linking Europe to the Middle East and the Orient, «Cyprus can become the avant post of Europe», he said.In a lecture given at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs on Cyprus' EU course, on 18 May, Mr. Kassoulides pointed to the country's advanced technical infrastructure and skilled human resources, noting that those are factors that could enable Cyprus to become the region's economic and financial operations centre. Mr. Kassoulides also stressed that the reasons Cyprus wants to join the EU are also not primarily economic but political. «We believe that membership of Cyprus in the EU is the best long-term guarantee for Cyprus to create the conditions which can lead to a more stable Eastern Mediterranean», he said. As Mr. Kassoulides pointed out, that the accession process of Cyprus is "perhaps the only way to achieve an early solution to the Cyprus problem, which by itself will be the greatest contribution to a stable peace in our region ... The admittance of Cyprus into the Union is still the best way that Europe can contribute to the creation of conditions favourable for peace and stability in our region", he concluded. [02] The prospect of Cyprus accession will assist a solution to the Cyprus problem, says SimitisGreek Premier Costs Simitis reiterated yesterday his government's will to promote Cyprus' European prospect. Speaking during an Extraordinary Parliamentary Session on relations with the EU, Mr. Simitis stressed that the prospect of Cyprus accession must become a factor that will assist a solution to the Cyprus problem, on the basis of UN principles and resolutions."We wish and hope that the Turkish Cypriot side will realise the significance of the country's accession to the EU and will constructively contribute in this enterprise», he said, adding that the Turkish Cypriots will derive manifold benefits from Cyprus' EU accession. If however, he said, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side preserve their negative attitude on the matter, Greece will do its utmost to safeguard Cyprus' accession. Cyprus' political problem can not be an obstacle to the country's accession, he concluded. [03] Cyprus signs the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-ProductionThe Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the Council of Europe, Ms Thalia Petrides, signed yesterday in Strasbourg the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production.The Convention provides a set of rules governing relations between states in multilateral co-productions of cinematographic films. It applies to co- productions involving at least three different states and meeting the definition of a European cinematographic work. The text lays down assessment criteria in this matter. The Convention's provisions define in particular the status of multilateral co-productions, which are entitled to the benefits granted to national films, the conditions for obtaining co-production status, the rights of co- producers, the proportion of contributions from each co-producer, etc. [04] New Cyprus Ambassador to Lebanon presents letters of credenceMinister Plenipotentiary, Mr. Tassos Tzionis presented his credentials on Tuesday 18 May to Lebanese President Emile Lahoud.Mr Tzionis, who is the Head of the Cyprus Problem Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed the Lebanese President of the Cyprus government's intention to establish permanent diplomatic presence in the country, a move welcome by the Lebanese President. [05] Quin: Cyprus' application for EU membership should be treated on its meritsThe British Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ms Joyce Quin, expressed last Tuesday her government's belief that «Cyprus' application for EU membership should be treated on its merits as other applications are being considered and treated».Replying to relevant questions on Cyprus in a debate in the House of Commons, Ms Quin stressed that «no outside, non-EU country has a veto on Cyprus' accession». "Moves towards reunification of the island and a peaceful settlement would be very helpful in the context of European Union accession", she added. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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