Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-07-27

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

Friday, 27 July 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] Proposals for Cyprus' accession to the EU prior to a solution to the Cyprus problem
• [02] Aid to promote peace and cooperation in Cyprus
• [03] No concessions to the change of substance

[01] Proposals for Cyprus' accession to the EU prior to a solution to the Cyprus problem

He added that the possibility of having a divided island joining the EU is being talked about within the member states, even though they may not be ready to discuss this officially at this stage.

"This issue is on the cards as it concerns what I would call political realism", Mr Markides had stated after a meeting of the House Watchdog Committee.

Expressing the view that Cyprus would join the EU before the political problem is settled, he had stated that "we shall be ready to put forward specific proposals about how certain problems arising from the implementation of the acquis communautaire and the non solution of the Cyprus question can be met".

Any such problems, he added, can be solved in good faith without any adverse effects on the Republic of Cyprus and with no direct or indirect risk for giving the self-styled Turkish Cypriot pseudo-regime any kind of recognition.

Replying to questions, Mr Markides had stated that among European circles there is talk about a divided Cyprus joining the Union but at present Brussels may not be ready to discuss this possibility officially.

[02] Aid to promote peace and cooperation in Cyprus

The Appropriations Act provides for "not less than 15 million of the funds appropriated should be made available for Cyprus to be used only for scholarships, administrative support of the scholarship program, bicommunal projects and measures aimed at reunification of the island and designed to reduce tensions and promote peace and cooperation between the two communities on Cyprus".

[03] No concessions to the change of substance

The Foreign Minister had also stated that the government would be ready to continue with the UN peace process as this is defined by the terms of reference of the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, based on UN resolutions.

Invited to comment on moves indicating a change in the UN process, Mr Kassoulides had said that after a meeting of the House of Foreign Affairs Committee "we are ready to continue this process from the point it stopped last November but we are not ready to accept anything on the substance of the Cyprus problem that has not been formulated through the negotiations at the negotiating table". "What is important is to see the process continue within the parameters defined by the terms of reference of the UN Secretary General on the basis of the UN resolutions" Mr Kassoulides had stated.

Commenting on a Turkish press report about US-Turkey consultations on Cyprus, Mr Kassoulides had said that "we have been given assurances that there has been no consultations between Turkey and the US on the substance of the talks and with regard to consultations these concern the procedure to be adopted so as to enable Mr Denktash to return to the negotiating table".

"My understanding is that the talks between Washington and Ankara did not concern the substance of the Cyprus question and it seems that Mr Denktash is not pleased with the fact that his preconditions for a resumption of the dialogue have not been met" Mr Kassoulides had explained.

Asked if Mr Annan's top envoy on Cyprus, Special Adviser Alvaro de Soto would be visiting Cyprus, the Foreign Minister had said that he expected the UN diplomat to visit if and when the prospects for a resumption of the talks would be on the horizon.

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

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