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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-04-12Cyprus 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/>Wednesday, 12 April 2000CONTENTS[01] Cyprus talks should be upgraded, says President CleridesThe President of the Republic Mr. Glafcos Clerides said yesterday that the forthcoming proximity talks on Cyprus, scheduled to begin on May 23 in New York should be upgraded.Speaking on his return from visits to the U.S and Great Britain, President Clerides stressed the need for UN - led negotiations on Cyprus that will deal with the core issues of the Cyprus problem, namely the distribution of powers, security, property and territory. Moreover he noted that foreign envoys on Cyprus made it clear to the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Denktash that his illegal regime will neither be recognized nor «acknowledged». [02] «The current situation presents the best opportunity for a Cyprus settlement»,says Thomas Weston.US State Department/s Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston has said that the Republic/s accession course to the European Union, rapprochement between Greece and Turkey and the unified and strong international backing for the UN efforts to facilitate a comprehensive settlement have added a new dimension to and incentives for a comprehensive Cyprus settlement.In a statement before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as nominee for the rank of Ambassador, Mr Weston also said that the division of Cyprus has continued too long at a «great cost to the people and with substantial risk to the stability of the Eastern Mediterranean». «I believe that the current situation presents the best opportunity for a settlement in Cyprus in years», he said and outlined that the Republic/s EU course «has the opportunity to resolve many of the historical, political and security concerns on the island». Mr. Weston also referred to the two round of UN-led proximity talks on Cyprus and added that «we continue to work hard to ensure that the recommencement of talks on May 23 in New York moves the parties towards a just and durable settlement that addresses the legitimate concerns of both sides». [03] EU-Turkey Association Council reaffirms Helsinki conclusionsIn a statement issued at the conclusion of the EU-Turkey Association Council held in Luxembourg on 11 April outlining the state of relations between EU and Turkey it is stated that «recalling the Helsinki conclusions, the European Union welcomes the launch of the talks aiming at a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem and expresses its strong support for the UN Secretary General's efforts to bring the process to a successful conclusion. The European Union underlines that a political settlement will facilitate the accession of Cyprus to the European Union. If no settlement has been reached by the completion of accession negotiations, the EU decision on accession will be made without the above being a precondition. In this the EU will take account of all relevant factors.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 |