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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-06-24Cyprus 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, 24 June 1999CONTENTS[01] Time to focus on core issues, says UN Secretary-GeneralThe UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said he is ready to invite the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus to enter into a process of comprehensive negotiations without preconditions and in a spirit of compromise and cooperation.In his report to the UN Security Council on his mission of good offices in Cyprus, Mr Annan said that it should be understood by all concerned that a lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem can only be reached in negotiations. "It is now time to focus on the core issues", he stressed, naming these as security, distribution of powers, property and territory. However, he added, it is essential that these core issues be addressed without preconditions in a practical, realistic and straightforward manner in comprehensive negotiations. He also said that the discussions involving the UN Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative in Cyprus, Dame Ann Hercus, have confirmed the importance of the issue of political equality. He said that while he and his predecessors have dealt with the two sides on an equal footing, the Turkish Cypriot contention is that other aspects of their situation place them at a disadvantage and undermine the commitment to political equality. "A major challenge for the negotiations is how to translate this commitment into clear, practical provisions to be agreed upon by both sides", he said and expressed the hope that both sides will approach any resumption of negotiations in that spirit. Referring to the shuttle talks that Dame Ann has held with the two community leaders, Mr Annan said that, apart from their confidentiality, neither side is aware of the views expressed by the other. He added that while this format allows him to assess the extent of convergence of views on the various aspects, it has its limitations. "A formal agreement can only be achieved in comprehensive negotiations directly involving both leaders", he stressed. Mr Annan also said that he has informed the Security Council of his intention to appoint Ann Hercus as his Special Representative in Cyprus as of 1 July 1999. The UN Secretary-General welcomed the support expressed by the Heads of State of the G-8 countries, saying that their statement highlights the continuing interest of the international community in a solution of the Cyprus problem. [02] Council of Europe still waiting for a reply from Turkey in Titina Loizidou caseThe Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, Mr Asgrimsson, has said that he had written to the government of Turkey regarding the case of Kyrenia refugee Mrs Titina Loizidou but that no response had as yet been received.Mr Asgrimsson was replying to a question yesterday in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, as to what future action is to be taken in the case of Mrs Loizidou v Turkey in view of the decision made by the European Court of Human Rights that her property rights had been violated and that the deadline for payment of the satisfaction awarded by the court in this case. He added that he would take up the case with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey and that the committee will return to the matter at its next meeting in order to take a decision on future action in the light of the response from the Turkish government. 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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