Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-11-07

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

Wednesday, 7 November 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] President of the Republic departed to New York
• [02] Foreign Minister's intervention during the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference

[01] President of the Republic departed to New York

Speaking at Larnaca airport before his departure, Mr Clerides stated the following:

"I depart to New York to address the UN General Assambly. During my stay I will be meeting with the UN Secretary General and with the representatives of the five Permanent Members of the Security Council, with Mr Weston, Mr de Soto and Lord Hanney".

Answering a question on Mr Ecevit's statements concerning Cyprus' accession to the EU, the President replied that Mr Ecevit was trying to give the impression that in the case of Cyprus' accession to the EU Turkey would take various measures. "Initially they were saying that would lead to agitation and destabilisation in the Eastern Mediterranean. Then, they were talking about annexation, now they are talking about either annexation or forming a protectorate. We will be alert as we have been but we must avoid giving too much emphasis on the possibility that when Cyprus joins the EU serious incidents will be caused. A government which executes its duties in certain cases does so without making loud announcements and does so by taking all necessary measures", President Clerides noted.

Commenting on the reasons behind Mr Ecevit's statements, President Clerides stated that his interpretation would be that Mr Ecevit wanted Europe to have second thoughts on whether or not to accept Cyprus as a member state.

Replying to a question concerning the legality of Cyprus' accession to the EU, the President of the Republic of Cyprus stated that this issue was put forward by Turkey to the EU previously and the outcome of the EU's legal advisors was that there would be no problem concerning the legality of Cyprus' application to join the Union. "Therefore, Mr Ecevit and Mr Denktash are proclaiming issues for which the EU has already made its decision", President Clerides stated.

Concerning the granting of responsibilities given the negative stance held by Turkey and the related deadlock in the talks, President Clerides stated that he would be in a position to provide answers after his meeting with the UN Secreatry General. "One of the issues to be discussed, is the UN Secretary General's intentions in case Turkish intransigent stance continues", the President of the Republic concluded.

[02] Foreign Minister's intervention during the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference

Mr Kasoulides stated, inter alia, that "undoubtedly the event of September 11th against the United States were an attack not only against the country and its people but against humanity and human dignity. It was a frontal assault against our own moral values: against democracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of law. There is no cause that can justify the condemnable terrorist acts of September 11th".

The Foreign Minister clarified that the combat against terrorism was not aimed at a culture or religion but against terrorists and rejected any attempt at linking fanatical terrorists with the Arab or Muslim world.

With regard to the Middle East and the peripheral problems in general, Mr Kasoulides noted the need for peaceful solutions and the promotion of peripheral cooperation. "Cyprus is a firm believer in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and in the spirit of Barcelona", he noted.

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

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