[01]

President Clerides who was addressing the OSCE Summit in Istanbul stressed that the Secretary General's initiative "enjoys the active support of the international community. It follows a call of the G8 at the Cologne summit and is endorsed by Security Council Resolution 1250. The Security Council has defined the parameters within which the future settlement of Cyprus will be agreed upon", he said.

The President of the Republic underlined that "a good solution which will heal the wounds of the past, remove suspicion and the sense of insecurity felt by both communities, dispelling fears and concerns and establishing a climate of trust, mutual understanding and co-operation is urgently needed and will be to the benefit of all the inhabitants of this divided and long suffering country."

In his speech President Clerides also pointed to the need for full respect of human rights as well as the need for the respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty of states.

President Clerides welcomed "the establishment of a rapid expert assistance and co-operation team (react), an innovative and ambitious instrument which will improve the OSCE/s crisis response capability."

Concluding his speech, President Clerides said that the implementation of regional measures on co-operation will strengthen confidence and security among neighbouring states.

[02]

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Government Spokesman Mr. Michalis Papapetrou said that the UN Secretary General reaffirmed that the proximity talks will be conducted on the substance of the Cyprus issue. Mr. Papapetrou added that some of the subjects that are going to be discussed in the New York proximity talks have also been elaborated during today's meeting.

He added that the two men also discussed some technical matters relating to the talks.

[03]

"It is my personal hope that this renewed effort will begin the closing chapter of this long-standing dispute", Annan said in his speech to the OSCE Summit in Istanbul.

"In the new century, we must do better. We now have such an opportunity in Cyprus", he added.

[04]

During the meetings Mr. Kasoulides discussed the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and exchanged views with his counterparts on subjects of mutual interest.

[05]

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Greek Defence Minister Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that he discussed with his Cypriot counterpart the latest developments in Cyprus' EU accession course.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also stressed that Cyprus will play an important role in the consolidation of security in the Eastern Mediterranean in view of the implementation of the European Defence and Security Policy in the region.

On his part, Mr. Hasikos stressed that as long as Cyprus' northern third is occupied by the Turkish military forces, Cyprus and Greece must strengthen their defence within the framework of the Joint Defence Pact.

[06]

The meeting, which was held yesterday in Strasbourg, stressed that accession negotiations between the EU and Cyprus were on the right track and that Cyprus has made good progress in the negotiations process, including the harmonisation of its legislation with the "acquis communautaire". It was made clear by the Presidency-in-Office, as well as by the European Commission, that Cyprus should be participating in the pre-accession funding programmes and that some financial assistance has already been set aside for Cyprus, whilst the development of other pre-accession funding programmes, which also include Cyprus, are underway.

The co-chairmen, Mrs ROTHE and Mr. Papapadopoulos, referred to the forthcoming proximity talks, commencing on 3 December 1999 in New York between President Clerides and the T/C leader, Mr. Denktash, under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. They pointed out that if Turkish intransigence was to continue, prospects for a fruitful outcome would not appear promising. Mrs Rothe and Mr. Papadopoulos felt that the commencement of the proximity talks would be used as an excuse to allow Turkey to become a candidate country at the forthcoming European Council meeting in Helsinki. They also stressed that accession of Cyprus to the EU should not, under any circumstances, be connected to the solution of the Cyprus problem and expressed their hope that this position would be re- affirmed at the Helsinki summit.

The co-chairmen also noted that the Commission's Regular Report on Cyprus of 13 October 1999 was very positive and, in this respect, reflects the efforts of Cyprus within the accession process.

The chief negotiators on behalf of the EU and Cyprus, Mr. Maurer and Mr. Vassiliou respectively, informed members on the considerable advances made in the accession negotiations between the EU and Cyprus. Mr. Maurer pointed out that Cyprus is well advanced in the process, despite some problems in particular areas. Mr. Vassiliou noted that Cyprus will submit its position papers on all remaining chapters by the end of this year.

[07]

Ms Giordamli also met with the Permanent Secretary of Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Sharma as well as with members of the Friendship Association Cyprus - Nepal.

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

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