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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-08-21
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
Monday, 21 August 2000
CONTENTS
- [01] Substantive talks based on the UN resolutions, must be held without
any preconditions in order to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem
[01] Substantive talks based on the UN resolutions, must be held without
any preconditions in order to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem
The Foreign Minister, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, met last Friday with the
Russian Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr Vladimir Pavlinov. After the meeting Mr
Kasoulides said the Ambassador had conveyed to him a message from the
Foreign Minister of Russia, Mr Ivanov, on the occasion of the 40th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the then
Soviet Union and now Russian Federation and the Republic of Cyprus. Mr
Kasoulides also handed Mr Pavlinov a message from himself to be conveyed to
his Russian counterpart, Mr Igor Ivanov.
Speaking to rhe press, Mr Pavlinov said that since the establishment of
diplomatic relations between the two countries, the then Soviet Union and
now Russian Federation had always supported the just cause of the Cypriot
people for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of their
country and had condemned what had happened in 1974.
Asked if there were any developments as regards the Turkish advance in the
Strovilia area and to what extent this would affect the climate of the
talks, Mr Kasoulides said there were no developments at the moment. However,
the situation affected the climate of the talks as the issue was not over
as far as the Cyprus Government was concerned. "We consider it a serious
violation of the status quo. We believe the Turkish forces of occupation
have an obligation to comply with the previous agreements they had made,
particularly with UNFICYP, as regards the status of Strovilia. Therefore,
we continue to insist on the Security Council/s support of UNFICYP", he
said.
Mr Kasoulides said that at the next round of talks the Turkish side's
intentions should be viewed in connection with certain of its actions. He
said one could legitimately conclude what the intentions of the Turkish
side were not only by its behaviour at the negotiating table but also by
its actions away from the table in the course of the talks.
He said substantive talks based on the UN resolutions, particularly
resolution 1250, must be held without any preconditions in order to achieve
a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Asked to comment on whether the Greek Cypriot side would withdraw from the
talks, Mr Kasoulides said it would attend the next round which was
scheduled to end at the beginning of October. Its stand as regards the
talks after the coming round ended would be decided at that time. It would
depend on the outcome of the talks themselves. The Greek Cypriot side would
assess all the factors and weigh the costs and benefits. A decision would
afterwards be taken at the National Council.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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