Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-11-30

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

Friday, 30 November 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the CoE meets with President Clerides
• [02] Statement by the US State Department Spokesman

[01] President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the CoE meets with President Clerides

In a statement after the meeting, Lord Johnston expressed satisfaction for being in Cyprus and said that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is following the problems of Cyprus and at this moment four reports are under consideration in relation to the different aspects of difficulties that exist in Cyprus.

Lord Johnston said that he had meetings with nearly all the political party leaders and that he would also visit the northern part of Cyprus.

He pointed out that now that Cyprus is engaged in negotiations to join the European Union, is the right moment for a final reconciliation in Cyprus, adding that he would consider that his visit was worth the trouble, if he could contribute even a little towards this direction. He also expressed the hope that the forthcoming meeting between President Clerides and Mr Denktash would be productive.

Replying to questions, Lord Johnston said that the Turkish Cypriot leader "Mr Denktash has pulled away from many negotiating situations and instead has set out his own views and put a line underneath". "I think to find any solution to any problem you have to negotiate, to some extend you may have to compromise," he added.

Lord Johnston said that the ingredients for an agreement exist and there is willingness among many Turkish Cypriots and certainly willingness among the Greek Cypriot community. He pointed out that President Clerides is highly experienced and of course knows Mr Denktash for years. "If these two cannot make progress it would be very depressing", he said, adding that it is in the interest of everybody that progress should be made. He noted that Cyprus' EU accession would certainly be in the interest of the Turkish Cypriots.

Lord Johnston also met with the President of the House of Representatives Mr Demetris Christofias.

[02] Statement by the US State Department Spokesman

Invited to comment on next week's meeting between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, the Spokesman said: "we continue to support fully the good offices mission of the UN Secretary General and all efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement, including this effort."|

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

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