Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-12-05

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

Tuesday, 5 December 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus problem part of the political criteria in Turkey's accession partnership
• [02] President Clerides meets with Alvaro de Soto

[01] Cyprus problem part of the political criteria in Turkey's accession partnership

The agreement, which was accepted by Turkey, was reached at a meeting of the General Affairs Council in Brussels, after a proposal by the EU French presidency providing that the political dialogue with Turkey is incorporated into its accession partnership agreement.

In the reference to the Cyprus question, the agreement stipulates under the short term priorities (2001) that Turkey should "in accordance with the Helsinki conclusions, in the context of the political dialogue, strongly support the UN Secretary General's efforts to bring to a successful conclusion the process of finding a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, as referred in the point 9 (a) of the Helsinki conclusions."

The European Union Commissioner on Enlargement Mr Gunther Verheugen said that the accession partnership indicates the priority areas for Turkey's membership preparation. "At the same time it should be clear - and in fact it is said explicitly in the text that Turkey needs to address all issues raised in the Regular Report," he said.

"We furthermore expect that all relevant political questions including the Cyprus problem and the peaceful settlement of boarder disputes would be addressed in the framework of the political dialogue the incoming presidency will continue with Turkey," he added.

[02] President Clerides meets with Alvaro de Soto

The Government Spokesman Mr Michalis Pappapetrou stated afterwards that the President and Mr de Soto first had a private meeting, followed by a working breakfast with the participation of members of the Cypriot and the UN working teams to the talks. He said that the UN envoy informed the President about his meetings in Athens and Ankara, prior to his visit in Cyprus, and they exchanged views on the recent developments in the Cyprus problem.

Mr de Soto also saw the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Rauf Denktash in the afternoon.

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

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