Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-01-17

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

Thursday, 17 January 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] Alvaro de Soto: "A very encouraging beginning" to direct talks
• [02] Bush and Ecevit welcome Cyprus dialogue
• [03] German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer welcomes direct talks on Cyprus
• [04] Gunter Verheugen: The clock for Cyprus' accession is ticking
• [05] Prime Minister: Greece to undertake initiatives on foreign policy issues
• [06] Cyprus and Syria sign agreement on cultural cooperation

[01] Alvaro de Soto: "A very encouraging beginning" to direct talks

In a statement after the meeting, Mr Alvaro de Soto said that Mr Clerides and Mr Denktash had a private meeting first in his presence and then their advisers joined them.

Mr de Soto also said that during the meeting, which he described as very good and cordial, the two leaders had a good discussion on substance and decided to establish a pattern of holding three meetings a week at 5 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Replying to questions, Mr De Soto said that the meeting was "a very encouraging beginning". He also said that he would be in Cyprus to assist the direct talks in any way he could.

[02] Bush and Ecevit welcome Cyprus dialogue

Replying to a press question on the chances of a negotiated settlement in Cyprus, just before the start of his meeting with Mr Ecevit at the Oval Office, President Bush stated the following:

"Of course, we're very encouraged that there is a dialogue now taking place. And I want to thank the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister for encouraging that dialogue. You can't solve a problem unless the parties are willing to talk".

In his remarks Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said: "With regard to Cyprus, it's good news that the leaders of the two communities are now having face to face dialogue. They may not attain concrete results immediately, but the very fact, the very process of dialogue may lead to satisfactory agreements between the two communities".

[03] German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer welcomes direct talks on Cyprus

"The German Government expressly welcomes the start today of the direct negotiations between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, Clerides and Denktash.

It also hopes that, in view of the advancing EU accession process, the two sides will now resolutely seize this opportunity to find a solution acceptable to both sides to the Cyprus conflict, which has been smouldering for decades.

The German Government is convinced that Cyprus' accession to the EU and a political solution would not only benefit the two communities on the island but also foster peace and stability in the entire eastern Mediterranean.

Germany strongly supports the negotiating process between the two conflicting parties now beginning, as well as the UN Secretary-General's efforts to find a solution."

[04] Gunter Verheugen: The clock for Cyprus' accession is ticking

Asked if the pressure of Cyprus' EU accession would smoothen the way for peace, Mr Verheugen said that this was what was happening now. He explained that while a year ago, the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Denktash withdrew from the talks, thus putting himself in an unfavourable position as far a tactical moves were concerned, now he was trying to rectify it.

Mr Verheugen said he was cautiously optimistic because the Turkish Cypriot people had realised that the road to Europe passes through the political solution of the Cyprus problem. In parallel, the Government in Ankara had realised that Turkey would endanger the great steps it had made towards European accession in the event of attempting a confrontation with the European Union over Cyprus, he added.

Asked if, in the event of the peace talks failing, he would advise Europe to accept Cyprus' accession, Mr Verheugen replied that the European Union had made it clear, since 1999, that it wished the accession of a united Cyprus but stressed that the solution of the political problem was not a precondition for Cyprus's accession. This would be decided at the end of the year and in the light of the developments, he said.

Asked if, Turkey could veto the accession of the southern part of the island, Mr Verheugen stressed that the Heads of the EU countries had categorically excluded that possibility.

Replying to a question as to whether he was afraid that Greece's veto would block the enlargement of the European Union, Mr Verheugen said that he was certain that it would. The first cycle of EU enlargement must include Cyprus, he said.

Asked if he was negotiating with Southern Cyprus in the hope that by the end of the year, the Northern part of Cyprus would approach the negotiating table, Mr Verheugen said "yes", since from the point of view of international law the Cyprus Government in Nicosia represents the whole of the island. He pointed out of all candidate countries for EU accession, Cyprus is a front- runner in the accession negotiations. As soon as the Turkish Cypriot community participates in the EU negotiations as part of the Cypriot delegation, it will be included, he said in conclusion.

[05] Prime Minister: Greece to undertake initiatives on foreign policy issues

He said that such initiatives are necessary because the talks on Cyprus' European Union accession are at their final phase, the talks between the Cypriot leadership (President Clerides) and the Turkish Cypriot community are in progress and Turkey should undertake initiatives on the continental shelf issue by the year 2004 at the latest.

[06] Cyprus and Syria sign agreement on cultural cooperation

The programme, which covers the years 2002 to 2004, was signed during the Minister's two day official visit to Syria last week, where he met with the country's Prime Minister Mr Mohammad Mustafa Mero, with whom he discussed issues of mutual interest, especially related to education reform and modern technology.

During his stay in Syria, Mr Ioannides also had meetings his Syrian counterparts, Mahmoud Ahmad Al-Sayed and Najzwa Kassab Hassan and with Patriarch Ignatius of Antioch. In addition, he visited various educational institutions.

Cyprus' Ambassador in Damascus Mr Platon Kyriakides accompanied the Minister.

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

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