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Saturday, 21 December 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-12-20Cyprus 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/>Monday, 20 December 1999[01]The Cyprus government protested to the United Nations last Friday against the attempt by the Turkish Foreign Ministry to present the UN position as concurring with its position regarding the existence of a separate Turkish Cypriot entity with an international standing.On 15 December the UN Secretary General issued an addendum to his report on the UN Operation in Cyprus, which referred to the extension of the mandate of the UN Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus and gave the Turkish position on the matter. The Turkish Foreign Ministry had interpreted this to mean that the UN had also adopted its position. Cyprus Foreign Minister Mr Ioannis Kassoulides and the Republic's Permanent Representative to the UN Mr Sotos Zackheos held on December 17 a meeting with the UN Under-Secretary for Peace-Keeping Mr Bernard Miyet and asked for clarifications on the matter. Mr Miyet assured Mr Kassoulides that the UN adheres to its resolutions on Cyprus and that it will make no move that may in any way constitute recognition of the pseudo-state or lend it any kind of international status. Moreover the UN Secretary-General's Spokesman Mr Fred Eckhard said on Friday that the addendum does not signify a change in UN policy but outlines the positions of the sides involved. Speaking to the press during his regular briefing, Mr. Eckhard clarified that "the addendum is to inform the Security Council of the positions of the relevant parties concerning the extension of the mandate so the Secretary General reported the positions as he always does, without comments. My statement made it clear that there was no change of UN policy", he added. [02]The heads of the negotiating teams of the six countries that opened accession talks with the European Union last year have welcomed the Union's commitment to be ready to welcome new states from the end of 2002 as decided during the Helsinki summit held between 10-12 December.In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the ninth meeting of the head of the six negotiating teams held in Bled (Slovenia) between 16-18 December, the six EU negotiators said they agreed that "all efforts should be made to finalize the negotiations at the latest in 2001 in order to make accession to the EU possible by 1 January 2003". The heads of the negotiating teams agreed further to hold their next meeting in Cyprus at the end of March 2000. 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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