Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-12-05

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

Wednesday, 5 December 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] UN Secretary General pleased with Clerides-Denktash agreement to start direct negotiations
• [02] Greek Government expresses satisfaction with Clerides-Denktash meeting
• [03] US will continue to support the efforts of the UN secretary General
• [04] European Parliament resolution condemns Turkish threats against Cyprus

[01] UN Secretary General pleased with Clerides-Denktash agreement to start direct negotiations

The Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan stated the following:

"The Secretary-General is very pleased at the agreement reached today by Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash to start direct negotiations in mid-January 2002, at his invitation.

In the exercise of his mission of good offices, the Secretary-General is ready to assist the parties as necessary in their effort to achieve a comprehensive settlement."

[02] Greek Government expresses satisfaction with Clerides-Denktash meeting

Mr Beglitis said he believed that the meeting was a positive development, in the effort to find a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the resolutions and decisions of United Nations, the European acquis communautaire and the decisions of international organisations on human rights.

The agreement reached between President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to continue direct talks in mid-January 2002 is also a positive development, he said.

"We believe that the conditions for substantive negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem are created", he said adding that the Greek Government trusts President Clerides' handling and the efforts of all the political forces of Cyprus to reach a just and viable solution.

"The good will of the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side remains to be proven by the substantive contribution to solving the Cyprus problem", he said. "These direct talks will indicate whether Mr Denktash is acting with tactical manoeuvres or he has really changed his so far intransigent stance", he added.

[03] US will continue to support the efforts of the UN secretary General

"The United States welcomes the news today from Nicosia announced by the UN Secretary General's Special Advisor, Mr. Alvaro de Soto, that the two leaders have agreed to direct talks on Cyprus starting in mid-January, and we commend both leaders for reaching this agreement. It is certainly an encouraging development. And you might want to talk to the UN for further details of those talks. As you know, through its good offices mission, the United Nations has worked hard to help the parties achieve a settlement, and we supported that mission and we will continue to support strongly those efforts by the Secretary General and by his Special Advisor, Mr de Soto."

[04] European Parliament resolution condemns Turkish threats against Cyprus

In its reference to "enlargement" the resolution expresses the Parliament's opposition to any attempt by one single country to hold any negotiations hostage and singles out Turkey for statements threatening to annex Northern Cyprus if Cyprus accedes to the EU before a political settlement for the whole island is agreed. The resolution does however welcome the planned meeting between the President of Cyprus and the leader of the Turkish community.

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

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