Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-12-18

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

Tuesday, 18 December 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] Lord David Hanney in Cyprus for talks
• [02] Cyprus and Slovakia engage in talks

[01] Lord David Hanney in Cyprus for talks

Speaking after the meeting Lord Hannay noted that this is a good time to be in Cyprus because there is some hope now, while previously there was just a lot of frustration. Cyprus's friends abroad have "unreservedly welcomed the rather courageous decisions taken by the two leaders which led to the meeting of the 4th of December and is now leading on to a negotiating process to begin on 16 January," he said.

Lord Hanney pointed out that the EU summit at Laeken unreservedly welcomed these initiatives, adding that there is a real prize to be obtained, which is a settlement under the aegis of the United Nations and the accession of a reunited Cyprus in the EU.

He also stressed that the solution of the problem would have to be decided by the Greek and the Turkish Cypriots themselves and not by outsiders, whose task should be to help but not interfere with the peace process.

Replying to questions Lord Hannay said that he believed it was possible to find a solution to the Cyprus problem within the next six months.

For his part, House President Demetris Christofias said that with Lord Hannay he had a detailed discussion of the latest developments in the peace process and expressed the hope that a solution may be found prior to Cyprus's EU accession. He also assured Lord Hannay that the Greek Cypriot side would show all the necessary good will to help reach a Cyprus settlement.

Lord Hanney met with President Clerides this morning but no statements were made after the meeting. Later on, he will also meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

[02] Cyprus and Slovakia engage in talks

After the talks, Mr Magvasi expressed the wish for cooperation with the Cyprus Ministry of Labour on safety and health matters, through the exchange of visits to share expertise and experiences especially in the productivity sector, in relation to services and social insurance. It was agreed that cooperation would start in the year 2002.

The Slovak Minister also met with the President of the House of Representatives Mr Demetris Christofias, with whom he discussed the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and exchanged views on the two countries' efforts to accede to the European Union.

A cooperation agreement between the two Ministries will be signed today.

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

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