Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-06-25

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

Tuesday, 25 June 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides fully satisfied with the Seville Presidency conclusions
• [02] Seville European Council reaffirms Helsinki Conclusions
• [03] Cyprus Government protests over action which would violate status quo
• [04] President of the European Council: The enlargement timetables to be respected

[01] President Clerides fully satisfied with the Seville Presidency conclusions

Asked whether the resolution of the Cyprus problem constituted a precondition for the commencement of negotiations for the accession of Turkey to the EU, Mr Clerides replied that the Cyprus problem was included in the preconditions set by the EU according to which progress had to be achieved in order to set a date.

Asked whether timeframes shall be kept regarding Cyprus' accession, the President replied that at the Summit it was emphatically stressed - a point which is included in the decision taken - that timeframes would be kept not only in the case of Cyprus, but also in the cases of all candidate countries, and that these countries would participate in the forthcoming European Parliament elections.

Invited to comment on the role of Europe, having in mind that the talks are not fruitful and the Cyprus problem was raised during his contacts, the President said that Europe was convinced that our stance was constructive and that it expected and insisted that the other side should approach the resolution of the Cyprus problem within the parameters of the Security Council decisions and in a conciliatory manner.

Asked how he viewed a solution to the Cyprus problem, taking into consideration the unwillingness of Turkey to pursue a solution providing for one unified state, President Clerides said that our side supported one unified state, whereas the Turkish-Cypriot side supported two sovereign states and the creation of a central entity, but with two different national citizenships. This has been discussed since last January, until the day the UN Secretary-General came to Cyprus and we disagreed repeatedly, he said. Therefore, if there is to be a solution, practical solutions are to be found on core issues. This is why the UN Secretary-General had stressed that we must begin talks in the four core issues which he, himself specified, namely, the power of the central government, the power of the cantons, the territorial issue, future security, the refugees and the properties. He urged us to try to find practical solutions on these issues, President Clerides pointed out.

Asked to comment on Mr Denktash's statement for a solution to the Cyprus problem based on the model of Belgium, Mr Clerides said that Mr Denktash mentioned the model of Belgium in order to use certain paragraphs that coincide with his own views. There are, however, many articles in the Constitution of Belgium that coincide with our views. Our position is that we either take the Constitution of Belgium as a whole, or we will be led nowhere, because if each side takes the provisions that suit it, we will again be in a stalemate, he said.

Finally, he mentioned that during his meeting with Mr Denktash on Friday, they would discuss the model of Belgium.

[02] Seville European Council reaffirms Helsinki Conclusions

The paragraph on Cyprus in the Seville European Council Presidency Conclusions is as follows:

"In respect of the accession of Cyprus, the Helsinki conclusions are the basis of the European Union's position. The European Union's preference continues to be for the accession of a reunited island. The European Council fully supports the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and calls upon the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to intensify and expedite their talks in order to seize this unique window of opportunity for a comprehensive settlement, consistent with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, hopefully before conclusion of the negotiations. The European Union would accommodate the terms of such a comprehensive settlement in the Treaty of Accession in line with the principles on which the European Union is founded: as a Member State, Cyprus will need to speak with a single voice and ensure proper application of European Union law. The European Union would make a substantial financial contribution in support of the development of the northern part of a reunited island."

[03] Cyprus Government protests over action which would violate status quo

Last Wednesday activity was detected outside the buffer zone in the area west of the occupied village Pergamos and north of Pyla to construct a road which, according to information available by the Government Authorities, is designed to expand into the buffer zone.

The Government proceeded with the necessary demarches to the United Nations, both in Nicosia and New York, for the prevention of such action, which would constitute a serious violation of the status quo.

UNFICYP had contacts on the matter with the Turkish side and took preventive measures that sustain the status quo in the area. The detected activity stopped on Thursday.

The Government is monitoring the situation closely. At the same time it expresses its satisfaction with the moves made by UNFICYP so far, which are in line with the terms of reference as defined by the UN Security Council resolutions.

[04] President of the European Council: The enlargement timetables to be respected

The enlargement timetable, he supported, will be respected: the goal of concluding the accession negotiations by the end of 2002 is feasible, the first semester of 2003 we will enter the process of the Accession Treaties and up to ten candidate countries will participate in the European Parliament elections of 2004.

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

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