Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-03-16

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

Friday, 16 March 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] Foreign Minister of Malta on an official visit to Cyprus
• [02] Cyprus will accede to the EU even without a solution of the political problem
• [03] House President visits Armenia
• [04] Presentation of Credentials

[01] Foreign Minister of Malta on an official visit to Cyprus

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Borg said that with his Cypriot counterpart they discussed issues related to the Euro-Mediterranean Conference and how to cooperate on regional projects in the framework of the Conference, in the Commonwealth and other international fora. He underlined that there is scope for cooperation between the two countries not only on the technical level, but also on all levels including the political.

The Maltese Foreign Minister expressed his country's support for a solution to the Cyprus problem based on the relevant United Nations resolutions. He also reminded that Malta had stressed the need for a solution to the Cyprus problem during the last UN General Assembly in September 2000.

Referring to Cyprus' European Union accession course Mr Borg said that Cyprus is ahead of the other candidate countries in the accession negotiations, having closed the largest number of chapters. Malta's objective is to close as many chapters of the acquis communautaire as possible, and therefore any advice given to Malta by Cyprus' Chief negotiator Mr Vassiliou will be of immense value, he added.

For his part, Mr Kasoulides expressed gratitude for Malta's support in the efforts to find a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem. He said that with Mr Borg he had the opportunity to discuss ways of utilizing their countries' cooperation in international fora.

Both Cyprus and Malta are united not only in their effort to accede to the European Union but as members of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Commonwealth; they work together in the OSCE and have common interests in the Barcelona and the Euro Mediterranean Conference, he said. Moreover, both countries are interested to see the Mediterranean become "a sea of cooperation, peace and stability."

During his visit to the island Mr Borg also called on President Clerides. Later in the day he had a meeting with the Chief Negotiator for Cyprus' European Union accession negotiations Mr George Vassiliou.

[02] Cyprus will accede to the EU even without a solution of the political problem

Speaking before the members of the delegation of the European Parliament on the recent developments in Cyprus-EU relations and in particular the efforts for a Cyprus settlement, Mr Theophilou underlined that the only way for the talks to resume is the adoption and maintenance by all concerned of a firm and resolute stand vis a vis Turkey and Mr Denktash.

He pointed out that following the conclusion of the fifth round of UN led talks in Geneva, the Turkish Cypriot leader announced that the proximity talks had served their purpose and that he would not participate in any other rounds. At the same time, he put forward his conditions for recognition of his illegal regime as a separate sovereign state and for the talks to be conducted between two equal sovereign states aiming at the establishment of a confederation.

Mr Theophilou stressed that the Cyprus Government will not accept any change of the basis and for the framework of the talks in the context of an ill-perceived effort to satisfy the demands and the preconditions of Mr Denktash and Turkey. "We know very well that any change either of the procedure or of the basis of the talks even if it is a cosmetic one, will encourage further the intransigence of Mr Denktash and strengthen his insistence" he added.

Despite the Secretary General's continuous efforts and the efforts of other players supporting his mission, the Turkish intransigence has not been bent and the stalemate continues, he said.

Mr Theophilou emphasized that the Secretary General's initiative was well prepared and co-ordinated and had the active involvement and strong support of the international community including the European Union.

"The Secretary General, the Security Council and particularly the five permanent members, the EU and the member states, all of them together need to exert now and in a concerted way all their influence and persuasion on Turkey and Mr Denktash to abandon their negative attitude and cooperate sincerely at long last for a just and comprehensive solution. Otherwise, the initiative of the Secretary General, in which the international community has invested so much effort and valuable time will degenerate and the good offices mission of the Secretary General will fail", he said in conclusion.

[03] House President visits Armenia

During the meeting, both parties expressed their wish to intensify bilateral cooperation between their respective parliaments and countries.

It was a common realization that the two countries' good relations are based on common principles, as well as the fact that both countries have suffered in the past and continue to suffer from the Turkish expansionist foreign policy.

The Armenian President suggested that a joint governmental committee be established for the promotion of issues of common interest. He conveyed through Mr Kyprianou an official invitation to the President of Cyprus, Mr Glafcos Clerides, to visit Armenia. Mr Kyprianou, then briefed Mr Kocharyan on current developments in Cyprus.

The Armenian President thanked the House of Representatives for its preceding decision to contemn the Armenian genocide by the Turks.

Mr Kyprianou will have subsequent meetings with the Prime Minister of Armenia, the President of the Armenian Parliament and the President of the Constitutional Court.

[04] Presentation of Credentials

During their meeting, Ms Avraam briefed the monarch of Luxembourg on the current developments on the Cyprus issue and the refusal of the Turkish side to cooperate with the UN in the direction of a peaceful solution. She also briefed him on the progress made to harmonise Cyprus' legislation with the acquis communautaire.

Ms Avraam also had the opportunity to meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms Lydie Polfer, whom she also briefed on the above-mentioned issues.

Ms Polfer announced her visit to Cyprus in the beginning of July for the talks between her Government and the Republic of Cyprus in view of Cyprus' entry to the EU.

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

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