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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-04-07Cyprus 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/>Friday, 7 April 2000CONTENTS[01] American Jewish Committee wants a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problemThe American Jewish Committee is closely monitoring the situation in Cyprus and wants a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problem.Speaking to the press yesterday after a working breakfast with Cyprus President Mr. Glafcos Clerides, Mr. David Harris, Executive Director of the Committee said during their one-hour meeting «we talked both about the next steps in the Cyprus talks and in the context of Greek-Turkish relations.» «We talked also about the President's recent visit to Israel», Harris said. «We are interested in Cyprus for a number of reasons. First of all we have a historical connection with Cyprus, which is always present in our mind». Secondly, he said, «Cyprus is an important part of the eastern Mediterranean and plays a significant role in matters relating to the US, Israel, Europe and the Mediterranean». «Therefore we want to stay very much in touch with Cypriot officials, understand the situation on the ground, understand what is going on respecting the unresolved Cypriot question and also gain a Cypriot understanding of what's going on in the Middle East», he said. Mr. Harris added that «we have long made clear our hope that the Cyprus issue can be resolved rapidly and peacefully». He also noted that the Committee had sent a letter to President Clinton urging him to pay close attention to the issue of Cyprus with an interest in seeking to resolve the issue. [02] Cyprus closes another four chapters under EU negotiationsThe 7th meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference for the accession of Cyprus to the EU was concluded in Brussels yesterday.The European Council's Presidency decided to close provisionally four chapters in the country's accession negotiations, namely the chapters on Common Foreign and Security Policy, Fisheries, Company Law and Social Policy. The Portuguese Presidency of the EU said it would open the remaining four chapters by the end of June. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Cyprus Chief Negotiator Mr. George Vassiliou referred to the positive outcome of the meeting and said that this is the result of the hard work and the painstaking efforts undertaken by the Cyprus Government in order to advance its accession course. However he pointed out that the screening process must be speeded up, especially in matters relating to the Value Added Tax and the Internal Market. [03] EU Helsinki Council has opened new prospects for Cyprus' accession, says VerheugenIn a press conference given yesterday in Washington, EU Commissioner responsible for Enlargement Mr. Gunter Verheugen said that «one of the important changes of the enlargement strategy in Helsinki was that option is now open to accept Cyprus as a divided island. And of course, the member states will consider the relevant factors. And one of the relevant factors certainly will be how the political process developed and who was supportive and who was not».Referring to his meeting earlier in the day with US Special Representative for Cyprus Mr. Alfred Moses, Mr. Verheugen said, «it was important to learn that America tries to accelerate the process of a political settlement». 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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