Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-05-16

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

Wednesday, 16 May 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus-EU Association Council meets
• [02] Foreign and Defence Ministers attend EU meetings
• [03] Cyprus and Libya sign agreements to combat crime

[01] Cyprus-EU Association Council meets

According to a joint communique issued after the meeting chaired by Cypriot Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, and his Swedish counterpart Anna Lindh, the Association Council welcomed the proposal made by the Cypriot side for establishing a joint Consultative Committee, which would allow cooperation between the regions of the two parties.

It expressed its strong support for the talks under the aegis of the UN Secretary-General aiming at a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

It noted with satisfaction that Cyprus had continued to make good progress in aligning its legislation to the EU "acquis" and had taken steps to set up the necessary institutional structures in most areas.

The Council, moreover, "welcomed the planned further decentralisation of EU assistance to Cyprus, allowing the island to assume a larger responsibility over the implementation of EU pre-accession assistance", underlining "the valuable contribution of the European Investment Bank in financing the development of all productive sectors of the economy".

The communique adds that the Council "emphasised the importance of regional cooperation as a means of fostering stability and good neighbourly relations and welcomed Cyprus' continuing role in this regard, including its participation within the framework of the Barcelona process".

The Council expressed confidence "in the development of relations within the Association Agreement and emphasised the crucial role it is further called on to play until Cyprus' accession to the European Union".

Speaking at the press conference Ms Lindh said the EU supports the UN-led process on Cyprus and expressed the hope that Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Denktash would return to the negotiations.

She pointed out that a solution to the Cyprus question would facilitate Cyprus' accession but does not however constitute a precondition to its accession.

[02] Foreign and Defence Ministers attend EU meetings

Speaking at a meeting with his counterparts from the other 13 EU candidate countries, Mr Kasoulides stressed the importance of regular meetings to discuss current affairs issues and progress in the field of European Policy on Defence and Security.

Mr Hasikos at a meeting with Defence Ministers of EU member states with EU candidate countries said Cyprus would contribute as much as it could within its capabilities to the aims of the EU in the fields of defence and security.

[03] Cyprus and Libya sign agreements to combat crime

Cyprus' Minister of Justice and Public Order, Mr Nicos Koshis, and the Libyan Minister of Justice and General Security, Mr Abdulrahman M. Alabbar, who signed the agreements, underlined the need for the two countries to coordinate efforts in combating crime.

The Libyan Minister also met with Cyprus' Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Mr Nicos Rolandis, who announced afterwards that a Cyprus- Libya Joint Committee will meet within the next few months aiming at strengthening commercial relations between the two.

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

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