Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-07-19

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

Thursday, 19 July 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus closer to fulfilling the European Acquis
• [02] British government deplores Turkey's stance in Loizidou Case

[01] Cyprus closer to fulfilling the European Acquis

Mr Vassiliou said that Cyprus has sixteen months until November 2002 to implement 352 European Union directives. During this period, the government has to prepare the bills, table them before parliament and have approved.

Mr Vassiliou expressed satisfaction with the work done so far but stressed that there is still a lot of work to be done. "I strongly believe that we are going to make it in time and I hope Parliament does not stall the procedures either", he said.

He also said that harmonisation with the acquis communautaire would create many job opportunities in the public sector.

Replying to questions on regional policy, the Chief negotiator said that Cyprus would be separated to two regions, which would receive financial aid from structural funds. He explained however, that the occupied areas would be excluded from this scheme until there is a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Mr Vassiliou underlined that a great deal of money would be given to the Turkish Cypriots and it is for this reason that the European Union officials have repeatedly stressed that the only way to a better life for the Turkish Cypriots is through a united Cyprus.

Cyprus is in still ahead of the other candidate countries for EU accession Mr Vassiliou said, adding that it has the ability to conclude its negotiations at the beginning of next year, on the condition that it succeeds in harmonizing itself with the European Union directives on the issues of taxation and regional policy.

[02] British government deplores Turkey's stance in Loizidou Case

In a written reply to a question by Mr. Andrew Dismore (Labour MP), in the House of Commons on 16 July, on what action the government proposes to take to assist in ensuring that Turkey complies with its obligations to the Loizidou case, as a consequence of the resolution of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers of 26 June, Mr Hain replied:

"We supported the interim resolution of 26 June calling on Turkey to respect the European Court of Human Rights' decision in the Loizidou case. We deplore the fact that Turkey has not yet complied with the judgment and will continue regularly and strongly to remind them of the need to do so both bilaterally and in the Council of Europe".

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

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