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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-12-02Cyprus 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, 2 December 1999[01]In its last report on the activities of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) the UN Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan recommends to the Security Council to extend the mandate of the Force until 15 June 2000.The report that covers developments from 10 June to 29 November 1999, notes, "during the past six months the situation along the ceasefire lines has remained stable. The prevention of incidents remains dependent entirely upon the discipline imposed upon the troops on both sides and upon their consistent cooperation with UNFICYP. This year's United Nations Day celebration was a timely reminder that direct contact between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can positively influence the atmosphere." It further notes that "under the existing circumstances, the presence of UNFICYP on the island remains indispensable for the maintenance of the ceasefire between the two sides." Mr. Annan also notes in his report that "on-island contact between the two communities remained very limited owing to restrictions imposed by Turkish Cypriot authorities." Referring to his mission of good offices the UN Secretary General notes that "on 14 November 1999, in response to my invitation, both Mr. Glafcos Clerides and Mr. Rauf Denktash agreed to start proximity talks in New York on 3 December 1999 in order to prepare the ground for meaningful negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement." [02]Cyprus President Mr. Glafcos Clerides said yesterday that "we come to negotiate in good faith in order to utilise the international interest on Cyprus".Speaking on his arrival yesterday in New York, President Clerides expressed the hope that the Turkish Cypriot side will come to the talks with the same political will to resolve the Cyprus problem. [03]Cyprus Foreign Minister Mr. Ioannis Kasoulides said that the government responded to an invitation to participate in proximity talks for a Cyprus settlement because both the UN Secretary-General and the US government have given assurances that the negotiations will be substantive and will focus on all core issues. Mr. Kasoulides, who was speaking at a dinner organised in London by the Cyprus Brotherhood on 30 November, stated that the opportunity is still there and the Greek Cypriot side wishes to seize this opportunity.Mr. Kasoulides stressed that "we are going to these talks with all the seriousness the task of finding a permanent solution to our problem deserves, and we shall work hard to make our vision of a reunified Cyprus come true." This vision, he added, includes a federation with each community administering its own region and as autonomous as possible in its own affairs. The Federal Republic of Cyprus will, of course, have a single sovereignty, international personality and citizenship and is fully expected to be a member of the EU. Mr. Kasoulides also said that to achieve this vision of a united Cyprus "we will need the co-operation in good faith of the other side". Mr. Kasoulides also stressed that Cyprus' EU course should continue unencumbered and that the island cannot be kept a hostage to the Turkish intransigence. [04]The British government has worked hard to achieve the resumption of UN - led proximity talks on Cyprus that will start tomorrow, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Mr. Robin Cook, has said.Mr. Cook also expressed hope that the talks will be successful. Mr. Cook, who was submitting a memorandum with Britain's positions on topics that will be discussed at the Helsinki European Council during a session of the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House of Commons last Tuesday, reiterated his country's position that a Cyprus settlement is not a precondition for the country's EU accession. 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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