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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-03-02Cyprus 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/>Friday, 2 March 2001CONTENTS
[01] Greek Foreign Minister discusses Cyprus problem with his US counterpartGreek Foreign Minister Mr George Papandreou had meetings in Brussels on 27 February with the US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell and the Turkish Foreign Minister Mr Ismail Cem, during which the Cyprus problem and the island's European Union accession course were discussed.In a statement after the meeting with Mr Powel, Mr Papandreou said that he had the opportunity to point out that Cyprus' EU course can contribute towards a settlement and the peaceful co-existence of the Greek and the Turkish Cypriot communities. Replying to questions, the Greek Foreign Minister said that US policy on Cyprus had not changed. He also said that with his US counterpart he had a friendly and constructive meeting during which they exchanged views on ways in which the peace process towards a Cyprus solution can move forward. Referring to Greek - Turkish relations, Mr Papandreou said Turkey's course to Europe could have a positive impact on bilateral relations and on the Cyprus question. [02] Three airlines secure permission to operate scheduled flights out of CyprusThe Minister of Communications and Works Mr Averof Neofytou announced yesterday that the airlines Eurocypria, Helios and Aerotrans have secured permission to operate scheduled flights out of Cyprus to 22 destinations.In a statement after the meeting with the chief executives of the three airlines, Mr Neophytou said that the Council of Ministers' decision on 28 February to allow scheduled flights from private companies is the first step towards the liberalization of air transport. It is a significant move ahead as this is the first time since the Republic of Cyprus was established in 1960 that a private company is granted permission to operate flights from Cyprus to overseas destinations, the Minister said. This move would help the tourist industry as well as offer new opportunities to Cypriot travellers, he added. He also said that he expects that European Union member-states and the twelve candidate countries for EU accession will be able to operate flights to Cyprus at the beginning of 2002. The three airlines Eurocypria, Helios and Aerotrans will be able to operate flights from Larnaca and Paphos airports to many European destinations, such as Sofia, Dublin, Belfast, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Ukraine, Moldova Minsk, Belgrade, Vilnius, Prague, Bucharest, and Rhodes. [03] Efforts should be made to enhance trade relations with RussiaThe First Deputy Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation Dr Alekxei V. Ulyukaev who is in Cyprus for a four day visit at the invitation of the Minister of Finance Mr Takis Klerides, had a meeting yesterday with the Minister of Commerce Industry and Tourism Mr Nicos Rolandis.During their meeting, the two ministers discussed relations between Russia and Cyprus especially in the fields of trade, tourism and technology. With regard to the tourism sector, they noted there has been a satisfactory tourist movement from Russia to Cyprus and vice versa and that 146,000 tourists and travellers from Russia visited Cyprus in the year 2000. Both Mr Rolandis and Dr Ulyukaev decided to make an effort to increase the tourist wave and enhance the trade balance between the two countries. Mr Rolandis said that re-exports through Cyprus could be increased and referred to the import of fuel, which constitutes 60-70% of the imports of Cyprus from Russia. [04] Council of Ministers' decisionsThe Council of Ministers approved during its meeting on 28 February the participation of Cyprus in the International Antiquities Exhibition which will take place in Barcelona from June to November 2001. It also decided that the Republic of Cyprus would contribute the amount off 80000 Swiss Franks to the International Committee of the Red Cross as a volunteer contribution to the activities of the Committee.Furthermore it instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to sign an agreement for the abolition of visas between Cyprus and Latvia. [05] Keith Vaz: We look forward to Cyprus joining the EU as quickly as possibleThe British Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Mr. Keith Vaz, replying to a question in the House of Commons on 28 February, as to whether he will take the opportunity provided by his forthcoming visit to the island to urge the Turkish Cypriot community leaders to enter into negotiations, so that both communities can be satisfied with the outcome when Cyprus joins the EU, replied:"We shall secure a just and lasting settlement of this agonisingly difficult problem only if all sides come together in the talks. That is why we support what has been done by Secretary General Kofi Annan, and give wholehearted backing to Sir David Hannay as he tries to deal with the difficulties. Our message to the Cypriot community in this country is that the Government will continue to take their responsibilities seriously, and will support the ongoing process. As for EU membership, we look forward to Cyprus joining as quickly as possible." Replying to another question Mr Vaz said that Cyprus is making good progress in its accession negotiations with the European Union and has provisionally closed 17 of the 31 chapters in the negotiations - more than any other candidate. "I trust that Cyprus's current good performance on adoption and implementation of EU legislation will continue. I look forward to discussing this and other matters during my visit to Cyprus in 10 days' time," he added. Moreover, in a written question tabled in the House of Commons on 27 February 2001, on whether Britain's relations with Turkey will not improve until Turkey withdraws from northern Cyprus, Mr Vaz replied that relations between Britain and Turkey are very good, and that will continue. "The problem to which the hon. Gentleman referred is on-going. He will know that the Government's position is to support the talks taking place under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. We urge all parties to be involved in those discussions. The hon. Gentleman will know that these matters cannot be solved overnight. These are sensitive decisions, and there must be careful discussion between all the parties. That will continue until we get a just and lasting solution to the problem " , he added. [06] Cyprus settlement is not a pre-condition for accessionThe British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Baroness Scotland of Asthal replying to questions on Cyprus tabled in the House of Lords on 27 February said that the European Commission takes a close interest in progress of the UN settlement process and refers to it in its reports on Cyprus."Government policy on Cyprus' entry into the European Union remains clear and unchanged: our objective is for Cyprus to enter the EU after a settlement, but we do not consider a settlement to be a pre-condition for accession. The Helsinki European Council endorsed this view and noted that the decision on Cyprus/ s accession would take account of all relevant factors", she added. 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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