Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-12-01

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

Friday, 1 December 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] Government Spokesman's briefing
• [02] Greek Foreign Minister meets with UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus

[01] Government Spokesman's briefing

"The UN Secretary General's statement is just a message to Mr Denktash not to implement his threat (about abandoning the talks) but go to Geneva for the continuation of the talks. I would like to say that I regard the statement made by Mr Kofi Annan as positive and stress that the two parties should continue the effort, not with a view to placing new obstacles to the procedure, as Mr. Denktash tries to do, but to open up the way in the direction of finding a solution to the problem".

In reply to another question Mr Papapetrou said that he agrees with the view that the Cyprus problem is at a critical juncture, but at the same time the Government believes that there is now increased international interest in Cyprus. Moreover the European Union acts as a catalyst to developments in the Cyprus problem and after the Helsinki European Council, Turkey finds itself before some real dilemmas. Faced with these dilemmas, Turkey either makes ill-advised outbursts, or attempts at blackmailing world opinion because it realises that the situation is becoming more difficult for her.

[02] Greek Foreign Minister meets with UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus

Mr Papandreou reiterated that Greece supports the UN efforts to find an overall solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the United Nations resolutions.

For his part, Mr de Soto said he had a useful meeting with Mr Papandreou, during which they discussed matters concerning the process as well as the substance of the talks. He also said that he would continue his contacts with visits to Ankara and Nicosia.

Mr de Soto noted that the UN Secretary General invited the two sides for a sixth round of talks in late January in Geneva, and expressed the hope that the talks would continue.

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

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