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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-02-19Cyprus 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/>Monday, 19 February 2001CONTENTS[01] Council of Europe to issue a stronger resolution against TurkeyThe Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has decided by majority vote to issue a third interim resolution, in strongly worded language, to press upon Turkey its contractual obligation to comply with a European Court of Human Rights decision in the Titina Loizidou case relating to human rights violations in Cyprus.The draft resolution is due to be examined at the next meeting of the Committee on 4 - 5 April. [02] Spokesman comments on financial assistance to TurkeyGovernment Spokesman, Mr Michalis Papapetrou, commenting last week on the decision taken in Strasbourg on Wednesday 14 February by the European Parliament to approve financial assistance to Turkey, said that "the Cyprus Government supports every action which would contribute to changes within Turkey and encourage its transformation into a European country which respects human rights, democratic institutions and the Copenhagen criteria as these have been specified by its accession partnership with the European Union".He added that the Government considers the following observations made by European Parliament and European Union officials to be important and positive: 1. It is Turkey that applied for EU membership and it is Turkey that has to adjust itself so as to conform to EU conditions and not vice versa. 2. The ball is in Turkey's court. 3. The Cyprus problem is a relevant issue linked to Turkey's accession and for its solution particular effort is required mainly from the Turkish side. 4. The status of an applicant country has not been offered to Turkey in perpetuity and within a certain time it has to comply with the Copenhagen criteria. Mr Papapetrou said that the Government is of the opinion that the EU element should not be considered as an issue of confrontation between the candidate countries. On the contrary, it would be preferable if all candidate countries complied with the criteria and requirements asked of all candidate countries. Only in this way will confrontations and hostilities cease and Turkey and Cyprus will then be able to develop relations of cooperation and good neighbourliness. Asked if it would be better if Turkey showed signs of good behaviour before it were strengthened financially by Europe, Mr. Papapetrou said: "I think these could go together. One cannot take the lead over the other one. The funds cannot be approved in the guise of a reward for Turkey which has not been positive so far but on the other hand Turkey can be pushed in some way in the right direction. If information that Turkey is getting ready to present its national programme of adjustment with the acquis communautaire is right, I think that this balance is even more justified." 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 |
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