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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-11-16Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>Friday, 16 November 2001CONTENTS[01] Verheugen: A policy which obstructs the entry of the Turkish Cypriot Community to the EU is clearly against the interests of the Turkish CypriotsEU Commissioner on Enlargement, Gunter Verheugen, replying to a question on Cyprus put forward at the European Parliament on 13 November 2001, in Strasbourg, stated the following: "In relation to Cyprus and to the Cyprus problem the stance of the Commission is very clear. In other words, we will do whatever we can to achieve a political settlement of the problem before the completion of the accession negotiations. For the hundredth time, I have repeated towards all parties my appeals and I feel I need to do this once more. The Turkish Cypriots will gain the most out of Cyprus' accession to the EU. For this reason, the policy which obstructs the Turkish Cypriot community's entry to the EU is a policy which clearly turns against the interests of the Turkish Cypriots themselves".Mr Verheugen replying to the Austrian Euro-MP, Johannes Swoboda, concerning the Turkish Prime Minister's threat of annexing the northern part of Cyprus, noted: "The Turkish Prime Minister's threats are not new. I am aware of them from various statements and arguments for more than a year. Our reply is clear. If Cyprus' completion of the accession negotiations takes place before the solution to the Cyprus problem and in the case the EU member states decide to accept Cyprus as a member state and in the case Turkey decides to carry out its threats, and I repeat all these are hypothetical, however, if they do become a real, then this will lead the relations between the EU and Turkey to their most serious crisis and right now I cannot foresee how we could get out of a crisis like this". [02] Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr I. Kasoulides to the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Non-aligned CountriesForeign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides addressed the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of non-aligned countries on 14 November 2001, in the framework of the 56th Conference of the UN General Assembly in New York. Mr Kasoulides condemned once more the terrorist attacks against the United States and noted that Cyprus, as well as the rest of the members of the non- aligned movement, supports the latest efforts of international activities against terrorism and especially the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1373.Mr Kasoulides in his statement referred, inter alia to the Middle East problem. He stated that the government and the people of the Republic of Cyprus had expressed sorrow and concern over the escalation of violence and the loss of so many lives. The current tragic situation, he noted, aptly demonstrates the explosive consequences of the long delay in bringing about a solution to the Palestinian Problem with the implementation of the relevant UN Resolutions. The Foreign Minister called again for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 as the only way for a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement. Referring to the Cyprus problem, Mr Kasoulides expressed the certainty that all members of the Non-aligned were aware of the latest developments on Cyprus and especially the lack of progress for a solution of the Cyprus problem due to the Turkish negative stand. Unfortunately, he added, despite the fact that the Government of Cyprus has spared no efforts in the search of a comprehensive solution, within the parameters established by the Security Council resolutions, a solution that will allow the reunification of our country and our people, will safeguard the human rights of all its citizens and terminate the foreign occupation of our territory, we are faced again with the same familiar scenario of intransigence and obstinacy. The Turkish side, the Foreign Minister noted, refused even to resume negotiations, rejecting the latest invitation of the Secretary-General, a development that the S-G characterized as "regrettable" and the Security Council on its 26 September statement as an "unjustified decision" insisting that "progress can only be made at the negotiating table", thus rejecting the attempt by the Turkish side to place preconditions before returning to the negotiations. Furthermore, Mr Kasoulides stated that the international order based on the rule of law and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the international community should not tolerate any longer such behaviour, which only reinforced the culture of impunity and rendered the solution of the Cyprus problem more difficult. The Foreign Minister expressed once again the gratitude of the people of Cyprus for the solidarity and steadfast support of the Movement in our long struggle to protect our sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. In concluding, Mr Kasoulides reiterated once again that Cyprus, which at the moment negotiated the final stages of its accession into the European Union, had no intention to forfeit its traditional bonds with the Non- Aligned Movement. On the contrary, he added, it is our ambition, in our capacity as a member of the European Family to be one of the bridges between the non-aligned countries and the member states of the European Union, thus enhancing mutual cooperation and understanding. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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