Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-04-03

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

Monday, 3 April 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides to inaugurate an exhibition of Cypriot antiquities in New York
• [02] President Clerides concludes state visit to Israel
• [03] Israeli Foreign Minister accepts invitation to visit Cyprus
• [04] Chief Negotiators of six EU candidate countries express hope to conclude negotiations in 2001

[01] President Clerides to inaugurate an exhibition of Cypriot antiquities in New York

Replying to questions before his departure at Larnaca airport, President Clerides said that Cyprus seeks to resolve the Cyprus problem on the basis of UN Security Council Resolutions and the parameters defined by them, namely a bizonal bicommunal federation with a single sovereignty, a single international personality and one citizenship.

He stressed that those parameters exclude division, union and secession.

"We are trying to find a bizonal federal solution which will safeguard human rights for all citizens, Greek and Turkish Cypriots, and be in line with the acquis communautaire," President Clerides added.

[02] President Clerides concludes state visit to Israel

On Friday 31 President Clerides held a meeting with the Chairman of the Independent Palestinian Authority Mr. Yasser Arafat with whom he exchanged views on ways of cooperation between Cyprus and the Palestinian Authority.

President Clerides described his visit to Israel as "very satisfactory".

[03] Israeli Foreign Minister accepts invitation to visit Cyprus

Welcoming the Cypriot position, the Israeli Foreign Minister Mr. David Levy, who has accepted an invitation to visit Cyprus, said he would be delighted if Cyprus were to host meetings between Israel and Lebanon.

An official statement, issued on Thursday 30 March by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, said the Foreign Minister Mr. David Levy "accepted the invitation of his guest to visit Cyprus in the near future".

"The Cypriot Foreign Mr.Ioannis Kasoulides stated that Cyprus wishes to assist where possible and whenever requested to do so in order to advance the peace process and stated that he hopes the negotiations with the Syrians would continue", the statement said.

Mr. Kasoulides added that "Cyprus would be happy to host any meeting that would assist the peace process both in regard to the Syrians and the Palestinians."

Foreign Minister Mr. Levy thanked his counterpart for his good will and said that he would be delighted if Cyprus would host a meeting between Israelis and Lebanese at any venue and on any level in order to enable Israel to make clear to them that we are ready to help them rebuild their independence and power," the statement added.

[04] Chief Negotiators of six EU candidate countries express hope to conclude negotiations in 2001

The communique which was released after a two-day meeting of the Chief Negotiators held in Paphos, stresses the need for a qualitative development in the accession negotiations during the French Presidency adding that all the remaining chapters will be opened during the Portuguese Presidency.

The Chief Negotiators discussed issues related to the current Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on EU institutional reform, the strategy of accession negotiations and the methods of monitoring the implementation of commitments that have been undertaken vis a vis the EU.

The next meeting of the six Chief Negotiators will be held in Poland on June 29-30.

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