Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-12-10

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

Monday, 10 December 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] US Secretary of State expresses satisfaction with developments in Cyprus
• [02] The absence of a settlement cannot be allowed to impede full EU membership
• [03] Nobody can revoke the decisions taken at Helsinki
• [04] "Neither a yes nor a no" to Annan's visit to Cyprus in January

[01] US Secretary of State expresses satisfaction with developments in Cyprus

He described his stop to Turkey as "quite good', noting the progress on the divided island of Cyprus where Greek Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash had agreed to meet in January for direct talks, that are expected to lead to a final settlement.

Mr Powell also said that these latest developments are "just the beginning, but at least we have got the two gentlemen talking to one another again and suddenly things are happening rapidly". Finally, he expressed the hope that the progress may continue.

[02] The absence of a settlement cannot be allowed to impede full EU membership

Noting the European Commission's recent strategy paper which confirms that negotiations with the best prepared candidate countries will be completed by the end of next year, Mr Hain added: "As the paper reaffirms, while a political settlement of Cyprus' problems is plainly desirable, it is not a pre-condition for that country's entry to the EU. Only yesterday, the first meeting between the leaders of the two Cypriot communities agreed to direct talks. We continue to support a just, viable and lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem".

Moreover, Mr Richard John Spring, Member of Parliament for West Suffolk, stated the following:

"The position of successive Governments has been clear: we favour a bizonal, bicommunal, federal structure for the island. We have strong historic ties to Cyprus, and its accession to the EU has put a spotlight on the island. The continued division can be no bar to Cypriot accession. Turkey also has ambitions for EU membership that we have accepted. However, it is greatly in Turkey's interest to resolve the problem in Cyprus, not least because of the growing disparity of living standards between the two parts of the island. Cyprus has already closed 23 out of the 31 accession chapters. We can only hope for a settlement. However, its absence cannot be allowed to impede full EU membership."

[03] Nobody can revoke the decisions taken at Helsinki

Replying to a question on whether the meeting between President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will lead to a settlement of the Cyprus problem or whether there would be problems regarding Cyprus' EU accession, Mr Stephanopoulos stressed that it is a fact that Cyprus' future lies with Europe and nobody can revoke the decisions that have been taken at Helsinki. He also expressed the hope that a viable solution can be found in the framework of the United Nations.

On his part, the Russian President said that Russia's position is based on the need for a dialogue between the two communities under the UN Secretary General's auspices. He also praised the direct meeting between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, as well as Greece's positive role in the process for a Cyprus solution.

Moreover, during his speech at the dinner given in honour of Mr Putin, Mr Stephanopoulos pointed out that only the implementation of the decisions of the United Nations can be the basis for a just resolution of the Cyprus issue and expressed support for the initiative of the United Nations Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan. He also thanked Russia for its positive stance on the Cyprus problem.

[04] "Neither a yes nor a no" to Annan's visit to Cyprus in January

"So that is actually neither a yes nor a no, but at this time there is no such a plan," he added.

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

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