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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-09-03
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
Monday, 3 September 2001
CONTENTS
- [01] The so-called "realities" cannot prevent the unification of Cyprus
- [02] Meeting between the Cypriot Minister of Defence and the Greek Foreign
Minister
[01] The so-called "realities" cannot prevent the unification of Cyprus
The Cypriot Foreign Minister, Mr Ioannis Kassoulides, returned to the
island on 1 September 2001 following a five-day official visit to
Moscow.
Speaking on his return about the preconditions Mr Denktash is putting
forward for the commencement of the talks and about the so-called
"realities" in Cyprus, Mr Kassoulides said that "I would like you to convey
to Mr Denktash that the plaster I have on my hand is a reality which will
be removed following the doctors/ instructions and whatever has happened
the hand will be healed".
Concerning the two-day visit to Cyprus on 4-5 September 2001 of the Greek
Foreign Minister, Mr George Papandreou, the Cypriot Foreign Minister
described the visit as "particularly significant" and he said that there
will be a joint review of the political situation with regard to recent
developments in the Cyprus problem, Cyprus-EU relations and Turkey's
diplomatic offensive on all fronts relating to Cyprus.
[02] Meeting between the Cypriot Minister of Defence and the Greek Foreign
Minister
The Cypriot Minister of Defence, Mr Socrates Hasikos, met with the Greek
Foreign Minister, Mr George Papandreou on 31 August 2001 in Athens.
The two men had a useful and positive discussion in view of the important
developments expected to follow the UN Secretary General's efforts on the
Cyprus problem. Mr Papandreou stated that even if at the moment there had
been no concrete progress with regard to the Cyprus problem, Greece and
Cyprus have always supported the UN efforts for the solution to the problem
based on the Resolutions and Decisions of the UN General Assembly and of
the Security Council for a bi-zonal, bi-communal, federal Republic of
Cyprus. Greece wishes to see the whole of Cyprus joining Europe and
welcomed the fact that Cyprus is ahead of the rest of the candidate states
with regard to the accession process, the Greek Foreign Minister stated,
adding that it is a great opportunity for Turkey to follow these european
steps meaning that it must contribute constructively towards the solution
of the Cyprus problem.
The Cypriot Minister of Defence also met with his Greek counterpart, Mr
Akis Tsochatzopoulos, on 30 August 2001. Mr Hasikos stated that the meeting
was held in the context of the regular meetings between the two Ministers
concerning the joint defence pact and the Doctrine in general.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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