Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-07-09

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

Tuesday, 9 July 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides addresses the World Symposium of Cypriot Academics
• [02] Italian President of the Chamber of Deputies: Alea jacta est
• [03] Finnish Minister reaffirms EU Helsinki conclusions on Cyprus
• [04] Danish Minister of European Affairs: Cyprus' good will to be taken into account

[01] President Clerides addresses the World Symposium of Cypriot Academics

President Clerides, having welcomed the participants, referred to the current period and described it as the most crucial one, after the Turkish invasion.

"Cyprus' accession to the EU, which, upon completion, will constitute our greatest achievement after the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, is in its final stage", he added. "In parallel, negotiations are carried out in an attempt to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem before accession. Unfortunately, with regards to the aim of resolving the Cyprus problem, no optimism can be justified, despite our constructive stance. On the issue of accession, however, I believe that there won't be a problem, despite the Turkish threats. We will accede in the European Union, with or without a solution to the Cyprus problem; A solution that will secure the presence of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in the land of their ancestors and which will be just, viable and in line with human rights", President Clerides concluded.

The Symposium was attended by over one hundred Cypriot academics working in Universities in Greece, the USA, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany France, Ireland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Academics from the University of Cyprus also participated.

The Symposium was also addressed by the Minister of Education and Culture, Mr Ouranios Ioannides.

[02] Italian President of the Chamber of Deputies: Alea jacta est

More specifically, Mr Casini said: "Europe needs Cyprus, Italy wants Cyprus within the European Union; with Cyprus, we want a more effective Mediterranean policy".

The Italian official said that the solution of the Cyprus problem was of great interest to the European Union adding that all the walls in the EU had fallen. "Lack of a solution cannot result in Cyprus not acceding to the EU. Cyprus is in negotiations with the EU, the 'the papers' are ready and the country meets all the required European standards" he said. Mr Casini congratulated Cyprus on the recently approved tax legislation.

For his part, Mr Christofias said: "I am very happy that we have President Casini with us, on a brief but very comprehensive and important, to my opinion, visit. We had an opportunity to continue, in an official way, exchange of views that we had began in European Union fora".

"I have briefed him on the developments of the Cyprus problem, and, of course, I have thanked him for the stance of the Italian Government and Parliament as regards the Cyprus problem, which is based on the principles of a solution to the Cyprus problem that is just, viable and based on the UN Resolutions and the High Level Agreements" Mr Christofias concluded.

Mr Casini was also received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Glafcos Clerides.

[03] Finnish Minister reaffirms EU Helsinki conclusions on Cyprus

Mr Kasoulides, having welcomed Mr Vilen, said that there were many issues of mutual interest between the two countries.

Referring to Cyprus' EU accession course, Mr Kasoulides said that Finland was interested in the "efforts to use the window of opportunity and resolve the Cyprus problem" before the EU decision on enlargement in Copenhagen next December.

For his part, Mr Vilen expressed certainty that Cyprus would be welcome to the EU when the relevant decision is taken in Copenhagen and that Cyprus was ready for its accession to the european family. "I am here to reaffirm the commitment of the member states to resolve the last problems with regards to negotiations, so that the process of enlargement can be completed uninterrupted", he said.

Mr Vilen replied to press questions, as follows:

Question: What is the message you want to send to the Greek Cypriot community?

Answer: The decision of Helsinki and all the relevant decisions of the European Union on Cyprus mention that the EU wants the accession of a unified Cyprus. However, this is not a precondition for the island's accession.

Question: What is the message you want to send to the Turkish Cypriot community?

Answer: We hope that there will be a commitment for the continuation of the talks and that this will result in the solution of the Cyprus problem. This would be to the benefit of both communities on the island, especially the Turkish Cypriots. The economic benefits that the Turkish Cypriots will have are clear, and the EU is ready to reaffirm its commitment on this matter, especially after a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Question: What is your message to Turkey?

Answer: Turkey could have used its influence to bring the two sides to the negotiating table and find ways to solve the problem.

Mr Vilen was also received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Glafcos Clerides.

[04] Danish Minister of European Affairs: Cyprus' good will to be taken into account

Presenting the program of the Danish EU Presidency in Copenhagen to the Union of Foreign Correspondents, Mr Haarder replied to a press question on how divided Cyprus could accede to the EU as follows: "In Helsinki we promised Cyprus accession without a previous solution to the Cyprus problem".

Referring to the program Mr Haarder said: "Enlargement will be the top priority of the Danish Presidency." He added that the Danish Presidency insists that the decision for enlargement be taken in Copenhagen, and that it advocates the enlargement, which is also supported by the people of Denmark, the majority of the European Parliament, as well as all the countries.

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

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