Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-01-18

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

Friday, 18 January 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] Greece has the will and capability to promote Cyprus' EU accession
• [02] Russia is ready to contribute to efforts for a Cyprus settlement
• [03] France welcomes the start of direct talks on Cyprus
• [04] Richard Spring: Lack of a solution should not hinder Cyprus' EU accession
• [05] Cyprus and Qatar sign an air transport agreement

[01] Greece has the will and capability to promote Cyprus' EU accession

Speaking to the press after a five hour meeting of the Council of Ministers, Mr Simitis said that the unimpeded completion of the EU enlargement process as well as the unimpeded accession of Cyprus to the EU are among Greeces' top priorities. "In this respect, I would like to emphatically point out that Cyprus' accession to the EU, is naturally Greece's first priority", he said.

Referring to the recent developments in Cyprus, Mr Simitis said that Greece supports the efforts of the UN Secretary General for a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the UN decisions and resolutions. "A positive development in the Cyprus problem, as we have stressed in the past, will strongly contribute to the consolidation of relations of trust between Greece and Turkey", he said, adding that the Government and all the Greek people would be by the side of the leadership and the people of Cyprus during the talks process.

"Yesterday I had a telephone conversation with the President of Cyprus Mr Clerides, following his meeting with Mr Denktash. We agreed that President Clerides would be visiting Athens in the near future, when he, himself, and all of us will have a clearer picture of the development concerning the negotiations and proposals made by the other side," he concluded.

[02] Russia is ready to contribute to efforts for a Cyprus settlement

Speaking to the press after a meeting with President Clerides, Mr Prygin said that his presence in Cyprus was to follow developments in view of the start of direct talks between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

The Russian diplomat expressed the view that this was a crucial period for the Cyprus question. Developments in the eastern Mediterranean, the fight against international terrorism, European integration, and Cyprus' forthcoming EU accession, require the intensification of efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, he said.

Replying to questions Mr Prygin stressed that Russia considers the talks for finding a solution to the political problem as a process independent of Cyprus' EU accession course.

Russia supports the continuation of the UN Secretary General's Good Offices Mission for Cyprus and is ready to contribute to the efforts for an overall settlement of the Cyprus question.

[03] France welcomes the start of direct talks on Cyprus

"We welcome the intensification of the dialogue, which was announced after the meeting between President Clerides and Mr Denktash, held in the presence of the Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus, Mr Alvaro de Soto.

We unreservedly support the efforts of the UN Secretary General for finding a comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem.

We call on the two sides, especially now, to double their efforts, in view of the fact that there are important deadlines for the region, for Cyprus and for the enlargement of the European Union, so that a settlement can be reached as soon as possible".

[04] Richard Spring: Lack of a solution should not hinder Cyprus' EU accession

"We welcome these talks. A moment of truth is approaching. A decision will soon have to be made concerning the constitutional arrangements for Cyprus; whether they stay as they are or if new acceptable structures must be created.

It cannot be the case that the lack of a solution should hinder the Republic of Cyprus - being the legitimate government of the island - in its accession process into the European Union. We believe that, with accession likely to take place within three years' time, a solution becomes more urgent.

We are also supportive of Turkey's intentions to become a member of the European Union and we call on them to use their influence to help construct a process, which can solve the issue of Cyprus.

The people of Cyprus are tragically divided. We hope that these talks will be seen as an opportunity to come together. One cannot overstate the importance of Cyprus' strategic location. It could play an even more important role in the Eastern Mediterranean if agreement were to be reached".

[05] Cyprus and Qatar sign an air transport agreement

The Agreement, initialled by the Acting Director of the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mr Efstathios Hamboullas and Mr Abdulla Thamer Al Humaidi representing Cyprus and Qatar respectively, is expected to develop relations between the two countries in the fields of economy and tourism.

Speaking during the ceremony, Mr Hamboullas expressed the certainty that the bilateral agreement would contribute to the enhancement of air transport between the two countries. For his part, Mr Al Humaidi thanked the Government of the Republic of Cyprus for its hospitality and expressed the conviction that, with the development of air transport, the friendly bonds between the two countries would be enhanced.

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

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