Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-12-17

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

Monday, 17 December 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] New Mayors and Councillors elected in Cyprus
• [02] President Clerides returns from Laeken
• [03] Nicole Fontaine: Turkey does not fulfil the Copenhagen political and economic criteria
• [04] UNFICYP mandate renewed for another six months
• [05] Britain's commitment to Cyprus' accession stands

[01] New Mayors and Councillors elected in Cyprus

Michalakis Zampelas, a businessman aged 59, was elected today as the new Mayor of Nicosia, for the next five years.

Mr Zampelas, who was supported by the rightwing Democratic Rally party, the United Democrats and the Democratic Struggle Movement (ADIK), received 15.298 votes or 50,09 per cent.

His opponent, lawyer Kypros Chrysostomides, who was supported by the opposition parties leftwing AKEL, centre-right Democratic Party, the Social Democrats Movement and the New Horizons, received 14.821 votes or 48,52 per cent.

The following Mayors were elected in the other towns of Cyprus:

In Limassol Mr Demetris Kondides received 30727 or 60.11 per cent, in Larnaca Mr Andreas Moyseos received 11673 or 45.38 per cent, in Famagusta Mr Kyriacos Kazamias received 12296 or 59.41 per cent and in Kyrenia Mr Constantinos Rolagas received 977 or 59.28 per cent. In the Municipality of Paphos, there were no elections since the existing Mayor Mr Phidias Sarikas had no opponent.

[02] President Clerides returns from Laeken

Speaking on arrival at Larnaca airport, the President made the following statement:

"I have just returned from Brussels, where the meeting of the EU Heads of State took place, followed by a meeting of the candidate countries for accession to the European Union.

The main issues discussed at the meeting were the future of Europe, EU enlargement, the dispatch of a rapid deployment force to Afghanistan, European defence and other relevant issues.

Regarding the Cyprus problem, I believe there are no problems in our accession course. The enlargement framework will be kept and the EU will invite those candidate countries that are ready to join, to do so at the end of 2002. By 2004, the Parliaments of member states will be called upon to ratify the accession of these countries.

We believe that there will be no change in this plan, the enlargement framework will be followed and this was reiterated and stated by the competent people in charge of the candidate countries' EU accession."

Asked to comment on Greece's strong reaction to an unofficial document presented at the meeting, regarding the Turkey's role in the European rapid deployment force, President Clerides said that during the meeting he had with Mr Costas Simitis in Belgium, the Greek Premier told him that if the Europeans insisted on putting this issue to a vote, Greece would use its power of veto. President Clerides explained that when the EU leaders saw how resolute Greece was, the President of the European Commission withdrew the document and as a result new negotiations will begin.

Replying to a question on the working lunch he had with the EU Heads of Government, President Clerides said the Turkish Prime Minister Mr Bulent Ecevit, had expressed a wish for progress in the talks between the "two ethnicities" in Cyprus. The President said he responded to Mr Ecevit's remarks explaining that the talks are taking place between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, as stipulated by UN resolutions.

Questioned on the possibility of seeing membership talks conclude as peace talks take place, the President said all the EU countries have welcomed the start of direct talks in mid-January and expressed the hope that they would lead to a positive outcome. This, however, does not mean that should the peace talks fail, Cyprus will not be able to join the EU, the President said. He also stressed that he did not believe that such an eventuality would affect Cyprus' prospects for accession.

Invited to comment on Sir David Hanney's visit to Cyprus, President Clerides said that were no indications that there is a plan for the solution of the Cyprus problem. There were indications that the UN had prepared a comprehensive plan, which at some stage they would put to the two sides, if the sides agreed to such a move, he said, adding that as far as he could tell neither the US nor Britain had prepared nor intended to submit any plan for a solution.

[03] Nicole Fontaine: Turkey does not fulfil the Copenhagen political and economic criteria

Referring to the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, Mrs Fontaine said that she was very pleased with the restart of the talks between the President of Cyprus and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community. "It is a development that we follow step by step", she said, adding that negotiations on the economic criteria with Turkey can only begin, if first Turkey respects the political criteria of Copenhagen.

[04] UNFICYP mandate renewed for another six months

Resolution 1385 welcomes the report of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, dated November 30, 2001, on the UN operation in Cyprus and " particular the call to the parties to assess and address the humanitarian issue of missing persons with due urgency and seriousness"|.

It notes that "the government of Cyprus has agreed that in view of the prevailing conditions in the island, it is necessary to keep UNFICYP beyond December 15, 2001";

It welcomes and encourages UN efforts "to sensitise peacekeeping personnel in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases in all its peacekeeping operations;"

It "reaffirms all its relevant resolutions on Cyprus and in particular 1251(1999) of 29 June 1999 and subsequent resolutions";

It "decides to extend the mandate of UNFICYP for a further period ending on 15 June 2002";

It "requests the Secretary-General to submit a report by June 1, 2002, on the implementation of this resolution";

It "urges the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkish forces to rescind the restrictions imposed on June 30, 2000, on the operations of UNFICYP, and to restore the military status quo ante at Strovilia";

Finally it "decides to remain actively seized of the matter".

[05] Britain's commitment to Cyprus' accession stands

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

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