Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-06-18

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

Tuesday, 18 June 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] Statement by the Foreign Minister
• [02] Verheugen: the 'window of opportunity' to find a Cyprus solution before accession remains open
• [03] Minister of Commerce attends a meeting in Jordan on the issue of natural gas
• [04] Italy and Cyprus to sign agreement

[01] Statement by the Foreign Minister

"I have summoned today the High Commissioner of Great Britain, to whom I have lodged an official protest regarding what we consider as unacceptable comments made by Lord Hannay in an interview to Mr Birand.

The Cyprus Government and the National Council completely disagree with the position for the creation of a new state and are distressed by the reference to "two peoples". Since Mr Hannay describes, at a certain point in his interview, the nightmare of the Turkish Cypriots, namely their great sense of unease, he has to realise also that an integral part of the unease of the Greek Cypriots is the position regarding the existence of "two peoples", that is their nightmare, namely the creation of all those components that would allow the lawful 'divorce', the legal partition of Cyprus.

Moreover, I have made it absolutely clear that no third party has the right to introduce positions that do not belong to the two sides at the negotiating table and were not part of the peace talks.

The dialogue is carried out between the leaders of the two communities. They, of course, have the right only on those positions which are defined in the UN Security Council resolutions."

Asked what the reaction of the British side was Mr Kasoulides said:

"It saddens me because Mr Parker has chosen to say to you that he had nothing to add or subtract to what Mr Hannay had said, because during our meeting he was trying to explain and pacify the Government. I do not want however to say anything further on the content of the meeting.

[02] Verheugen: the 'window of opportunity' to find a Cyprus solution before accession remains open

The European Union Commissioner responsible for Enlargement Mr Gunter Verheugen praised the progress made by Cyprus in the accession negotiations and the introduction of reforms and noted that 28 chapters have already been closed.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Mr Verheugen said he has no direct involvement in the UN-led peace talks but he is in touch with all sides and has a special cooperation with the United Nations, where he supports the need to have a solution that would be consistent with the EU laws and regulations and would allow Cyprus to speak with one voice as an European Union member.

Mr Verheugen referred to the Greek Cypriot side's good intentions and efforts to help find a negotiated settlement and stressed the need for a greater effort on the part of the Turkish Cypriot side and Ankara.

The German Commissioner said it was unlikely to have spectacular developments in June but noted that the 'window of opportunity' to find a solution to the Cyprus problem before accession remained open. He underlined that the key for progress in the Cyprus problem was in Ankara.

Concluding Mr Verheugen said that Turkey might change its stance on Cyprus in view of the European Council of Copenhagen and its wider effort to set a date for the start of its EU accession negotiations.

[03] Minister of Commerce attends a meeting in Jordan on the issue of natural gas

The five Ministers were received by King Abdullah of Jordan who praised the initiative and showed particular interest in Cyprus' role as the nearest European territory to the Middle East, in energy and in other fields.

During the Ministerial meeting it was decided that Cyprus would have first priority to be supplied with natural gas and would be invited to participate in the organisation's share capital.

The Ministers also accepted an invitation by Mr Rolandis to participate at the next meeting on natural gas to take place in Cyprus next September or October.

[04] Italy and Cyprus to sign agreement

In a statement after the meeting Mr Panayiotou said that on June 28 and 29 Italy's Interior Minister will visit Cyprus to sign an agreement on the readmission of persons illegally entering and/or staying in the territory of the two countries and a Protocol for the implementation of the Agreement. Mr Panayiotou explained that the Minister of Justice and Public Order Mr Nicos Koshis would also sign the agreement. The three Ministers would also hold consultations on issues of mutual concern, such as illegal immigration.

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

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