Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-06-08

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

Friday, 8 June 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] Christofias elected new House President
• [02] Kenyan President on official visit to Cyprus
• [03] Turkey should bring Denktash back to the talks, says Cook
• [04] US promises to maintain its interest in Cyprus
• [05] Cyprus has high rate of employment among EU countries

[01] Christofias elected new House President

Mr Christofias was elected by 33 votes in favour (AKEL, DIKO, KISOS), 19 against (DISY) and 4 abstentions (New Horizons, United Democrats and Ecologists Movement).

Speaking right after being elected House President, Mr Christofias gave assurances that he would productively cooperate with President Clerides for the prosperity of the Cyprus people.

He also expressed the belief that Cyprus' accession to the European Union will serve the interests of all the people of Cyprus.

[02] Kenyan President on official visit to Cyprus

At the end of the talks, the two Presidents signed a protocol on bilateral cooperation in various fields, including health, education, commerce, tourism and forestry.

Speaking after their talks, President Clerides said they had reviewed the already good relations between their two countries and established procedures on how to further improve them.

President Clerides said that they had also exchanged views on the Cyprus problem and expressed thanks and appreciation to the President and the people of Kenya for the support they have given always at the UN, the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement, to resolutions regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem.

He added that they had emphasised the "common desire of both countries to continue our cooperation in international fora on important issues, which affect both our countries, and other countries, and we have also stressed that it is our intention to continue building on the excellent relations that exist between our two countries by establishing bridges of cooperation, such as chambers of commerce and other non-governmental institutions".

Mr Arap Moi said this is his first state visit to Cyprus, adding that "we are grateful indeed to have the opportunity to meet and discuss matters of mutual interest and other related matters".

He said that the late President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III, had "established strong foundations for relations between our two countries".

Referring to the Cyprus problem, he said the two communities "should discuss and resolve this matter, so that they can live in harmony".

[03] Turkey should bring Denktash back to the talks, says Cook

"It is quite clear where the problem lies. The problem lies with Mr Denktash's walking out of that conference and if there is a solution to that, then Turkey must help to find that solution", Mr Cook said in television interview on Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation yesterday.

He added that Turkey cannot at the same time say it will not help us to achieve an outcome of which there is a single, whole Cyprus and at the same time say that Cyprus cannot join the European Union without that issue being addressed.

"It is to everyone's advantage to return to the negotiations without preconditions he said, and Mr Denktash is aware of this", he said.

Britain has not recognized the pseudo-state in the last thirty years and will not do so now, Mr Cook said, adding that the only way to achieve progress is to return to the negotiating table.

Asked to comment on Turkish statements that should Cyprus accede to the European Union without a prior settlement of the Cyprus problem there will be no limit to Turkey's reaction, Mr Cook stressed that no country has a veto in what the European Union decides in relation to the other candidate countries, including the Republic of Cyprus.

"We have said from the beginning that each candidate country will be judged by its own merits", Mr Cook said.

He recalled that at Helsinki they had agreed that Cyprus' application will be judged without preconditions and that it is not a condition of Cyprus' membership that there should be a prior settlement of the division of the island.

He added that everyone wants to see a single, whole, sovereign Cyprus and that it would be better if it were to join the EU as a united island.

He said if Ankara really wanted to it could help by encouraging Mr Denktash to get back to the talks intended to achieve that outcome.

"Ankara will not be able to be an obstacle to Cyprus' admission by putting a veto to it", he stressed.

[04] US promises to maintain its interest in Cyprus

In a videotaped address to the 12th annual conference of the International Coordinating Commitee - Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) being held in Washington, Mr Grossman added that the new US Administration was interested in a just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem and expressed the hope that there would be better developments.

The PSEKA conference began with meetings in the Congress, where delegates had the opportunity to hear the views of many congresspersons, most of whom expressed support for a just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem and said that pressure should be exerted on Turkey to promote a settlement on the island.

[05] Cyprus has high rate of employment among EU countries

Eurostat's spring 2000 figures, also show that Cyprus' employment rate, which stands at 86,7% for men in the 20-64 age group, is also above the average rate in the 15 EU member states.

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

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