Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-02-15

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

Friday, 15 February 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to break talks for period of reflection
• [02] Minister of Commerce meets with Ambassadors of Israel and Egypt
• [03] President Clerides receives US Ambassador Donald Bandler

[01] President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to break talks for period of reflection

· Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader, met today at the UN- Protected Area in Nicosia.

· They will meet again Friday as earlier planned. They will have one more meeting on Tuesday, February 19 before breaking in light of the Bayram [Muslim holiday] and for a brief reflection period.

· During this break, the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto will travel to New York to report to the Secretary-General and to brief the members of the Security Council.

· The talks will resume on Friday, March 1.

· Clerides and Denktash also reviewed the pace of their work so far. They have decided that it would be more effective to have longer meetings with more time in between, so as to concentrate efforts and allow more time for preparation. Accordingly, as of 1 March, they will be meeting on Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings, except as otherwise agreed.

[02] Minister of Commerce meets with Ambassadors of Israel and Egypt

In his statement after the meeting, Mr Rolandis said that a series of issues regarding Cyprus - Israeli relations were discussed, including the issue of the exclusive economic zone of the two countries in view of the fact that Israel is conducting investigations regarding the existence of petroleum deposits in the Mediterranean Sea area. He said that there was a preliminary discussion, since Israel is one of the countries with which Cyprus must sign an agreement regarding the continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone.

Mr Rolandis pointed out that trade relations between the two countries are good with trade reaching 200 million dollars a year. Referring to tourist relations, the Minister said that the number of tourists from Israel has decreased considerably and for this reason the two sides are examining ways to boost the numbers of Israeli visitors to Cyprus. He praised Israel's achievements in high technology adding that Israel is an example for imitation.

Replying to press questions, Mr Rolandis said that, for a country like Israel to proceed with a search for petroleum deposits in its territorial waters, an agreement must first be made on the boundaries of the exclusive economic zone.

Mr Rolandis, also had a meeting with the Egyptian Ambassador to Cyprus Mr Omar Metwally, with whom he discussed his forthcoming visit to Cairo, as well as issues regarding the relations between Cyprus and Egypt.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Rolandis said that he would be visiting Egypt towards the end of March, heading a trade delegation, with the aim of further enhancing trade between the two countries.

During his meeting with Mr Metwally, he also had the opportunity to discuss the issue of provision of natural gas to Cyprus through an underwater pipeline that would start from Syria and to which Egypt would contribute. The delay in the process of the construction of the pipeline between Egypt and Syria was one of the issues of discussion, he said.

Mr Rolandis underlined that time is of great importance since by the year 2006, Cyprus must start receiving natural gas either through the underwater pipeline or a terminal for liquefying de-liquefied gas. For this reason, final decisions must be made by September, he added.

[03] President Clerides receives US Ambassador Donald Bandler

In a brief statement to the press after the meeting, Mr Bandler said that with President Clerides, they covered a wide range of issues related to the Cyprus problem. He also stressed that they are working very closely together, as they have been for a long time, noting that this is a very important historic moment for Cyprus and the region. Finally, he said that it is very important that everybody works together to utilize this opportunity in the best possible way.

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

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