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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-12-12
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
Wednesday, 12 December 2001
CONTENTS
- [01] Kasoulides: non-lasting solution is a worst option than the absence of
a solution
[01] Kasoulides: non-lasting solution is a worst option than the absence of
a solution
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Ioannis Kasoulides departed for Brussels
yesterday to attend the European Union's Intergovernmental Conference.
Speaking before leaving for Brussels, Mr Kasoulides explained that the
Intergovernmental Conference takes place every six months at the end of
each presidency, to formally close the chapters that have been completed.
In the case of Cyprus' EU accession negotiations, two important chapters
will be formally closed: the chapter on environment and the chapter on
justice and home affairs, which includes issues such as the combating of
organised crime and money laundering, he said.
He stressed that closing the important chapter on justice and home affairs
is an additional response to all those who accuse Cyprus of not clamping
down on organised crime and money laundering.
Invited to comment on the forthcoming talks between President Clerides and
Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in mid January, Mr Kasoulides said: "I
would not be surprised if the rhetoric coming out of Turkey changes. I
think we should all wait until the start of the direct negotiations to see
at the negotiating table if there is real political will to find a mutually
accepted solution, a solution that can be workable so that it can be
lasting. For the European Union, the scenario of a solution, which will
collapse because it will not be based on principles, once Cyprus is an EU
member, is a worse scenario than the accession of Cyprus without a
solution".
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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