[01]

Speaking before the plenary of the European Parliament Mr Da Costa pointed out that the decision of the EU Summit at Helsinki last December has opened a window of opportunity for a solution.

At the Helsinki Summit the EU decided to accept Turkey as a candidate for accession and also not to make Cyprus' accession conditional on a settlement. Mr Da Costa noted that improved relations between the EU and Turkey and between Greece and Turkey have a positive influence on efforts for a settlement of the Cyprus problem.

He stressed the need for promoting rapprochement and confidence-building measures between the island's two communities. He said that the EU Council would greatly contribute in this direction and called on the European Committee to undertake initiatives.

Referring to Cyprus' EU accession course, Mr Da Costa supported the idea of opening lines of communication with the Turkish Cypriots. Finally, he referred to the need for alignment with the efforts and resolutions of the UN for the creation of a bicommunal, bizonal federation.

On behalf of the European Commission, Commissioner Gunther Verheugen, in his remarks, was hopeful about the prospects of a Cyprus settlement. The aim of the European Union is the accession of a unified Cyprus, he said. He also made it clear that the solution of the Cyprus problem is not a prerequisite for Cyprus' EU accession.

He stressed the need for closer links between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities through communication channels, adding that with the decision of the Helsinki Summit, the Turkish Cypriot community is called upon to contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem so that it too can benefit from the advantages of accession.

[02]

In a letter addressed to the UN Secretary-General dated 8 February 2000, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations Ambassador Sotos Zackheos stated that these actions violate international law as well as the Security Council resolutions on Cyprus and called for their cessation.

"I would like to express the hope that the necessary positive attitude will be shown by Turkey, so that the efforts for finding a just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of United Nations resolutions, will not be adversely affected" he added.

The letter circulated as a document of the General Assembly and of the Security Council under Agenda 63.

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

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