Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-11-02

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

Thursday, 2 November 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] Fifth round of UN sponsored talks begins in Geneva

[01] Fifth round of UN sponsored talks begins in Geneva

After the meeting, which lasted one and a half hours, President Clerides stated that it was a "very good meeting", during which they discussed issues of substance.

Abiding by a news blackout requested by the UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, President Clerides did not reveal which aspects of the Cyprus problem were discussed.

Asked whether Mr de Soto presented any ideas, the President replied negatively, adding that they only had a verbal discussion on different issues.

In a press briefing a few hours before the start of the new round of talks, Mr de Soto said that the UN was not expecting "spectacular results" or major breakthroughs because the issues under discussion "are extremely difficult" and in some ways they have become more difficult over the years.

The parties are very far apart on some key issues and for this reason the UN has to advance simultaneously on all issues. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, Mr de Soto said.

He stressed that there is no prospect just now of face-to-face meetings and so the traditional style of give-and-take did not present itself here. The parties will have to rely on the UN capacity to provide them with ideas and substantive inputs to urge them along, he said.

"We feel confident that the substance is being engaged in a way which it had not been dealt before. We are confident that this will continue," he added.

Mr de Soto explained that over the next few days, the UN intends to persist patiently with the method of constructive engagement on the core issues of the Cyprus question through the presentation of ideas and the invitation of comments by the parties, in order to take advantage of what he described as a "historic opportunity".

The UN envoy clarified that this opportunity is afforded by the improvement of relations between Greece and Turkey and other events, such as decisions taken by the European Union.

"We aim at a fair and viable comprehensive settlement, we are not setting any time limit, and both parties are conscious there are opportunities that exist now and when opportunities arise they will not wait for ever," he said.

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

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