Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-09-16

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Monday, 16 September 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] Kasoulides - Papandreou exchange views in New York
• [02] Grossman: next few weeks crucial for Cyprus
• [03] Cypriot Foreign Minister holds meetings in New York
• [04] Papandreou addresses the UN Assembly

[01] Kasoulides - Papandreou exchange views in New York

After the meeting, Mr. Kasoulides made the following statement:

"Today's meeting with Mr. Papandreou has been particularly constructive. We had the opportunity to exchange views about the various meetings we each had here in New York, which were many and very significant. We then discussed the developments before and during Paris, since they have their significance, and also the strategy of the three important months that we have ahead of us, leading toward the final path of 12 December."

Commenting on a document submitted by Mr. Denktash at the UN peace talks, Mr. Kasoulides noted: "An initial study of the document by Cyprus indicates that it has to do with a political move to impress with decorative changes to Mr. Denktash's positions, as they had been expressed at his last document of 29 April. These changes do not involve issues of substance and significance and they run counter to the UN Secretary-General's recommendations at the Paris meeting."

Invited to comment on Mr. Gurel's latest statements about the problems that would be raised by Cyprus' EU accession, the Greek Foreign Minister, Mr. Papandreou, noted that it was not the first time such moves occurred and that the EU and UN positions on the issue were clear.

Replying to the same question, his Cypriot counterpart added that Mr. Gurel was simply trying to avoid recommendations calling for a timely solution to the Cyprus problem.

Mr. Kasoulides also made reference to his meeting with Mr. Weston in New York, saying that they discussed the latest developments in the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, especially during and after the Paris meeting.

"It is obvious that the Turkish side is neither moving nor responding to the Secretary-General's recommendations up to this moment. This is clear to the eyes of those who observe the Cyprus problem and understand what is going on", he concluded.

[02] Grossman: next few weeks crucial for Cyprus

The above position was expressed by the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Mr. Marc Grossman, who was speaking after a meeting in New York with Greek Foreign Minister, Mr. George Papandreou.

Mr. Grossman stated, inter alia, the following:

"The Minister and I agreed that the next few weeks are extremely important, when the Secretary-General of the United Nations invites President Clerides and Mr. Denktash here to New York in October, that's an important effort and we want to support it. We think that there is a lot of progress that can be made, it's years now that this issue has been out there and it seems to me anyway, that we have the opportunity to make some progress. As you know the USA has always been in favour of Cyprus' accession to the European Union."

On his part, Mr. Papandreou noted: "It's a great pleasure to meet with Mr. Marc Grossman. We had a very good conversation on many issues - the coming up of our Presidency, the wider issues of Iraq and the Middle East and the more specific issues of Cyprus and Greek-Turkish relations and of course the European-Turkish relationship."

"I think I would agree that it is a very critical period but at the same time we have to make every effort and I think we should use this opportunity", the Greek Foreign Minister added.

[03] Cypriot Foreign Minister holds meetings in New York

Mr. Kasoulides then attended a meeting of Commonwealth ministers, which took place for the first time in the framework of the UN Assembly.

He also met with the Romanian Foreign Minister, Mr. Mircea Geona, and his Spanish counterpart, Ms. Ana Palacio. On Saturday, the Cypriot Minister attended a working lunch hosted by the German Foreign Minister, Mr. Joschka Fischer, and in the evening, he had a working dinner with the British envoy for Cyprus, Lord David Hannay, with whom he discussed the Cyprus problem.

[04] Papandreou addresses the UN Assembly

With regard to Cyprus, Mr. Papandreou stated the following:

"There is now a compelling deadline for a resolution to the continuing division of the island. Negotiations for the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union will be finalised in December. We hope that a free, united Cyprus will join a free, united Europe. Unification will undoubtedly bring greater security and prosperity to both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot population. But if a political settlement is not reached, the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus will join alone. Let us therefore break down the walls that keep these future European citizens apart.

With the exception of Turkey, the whole world shares a vision for Cyprus as a federal state with a single international personality and single citizenship, no foreign troops on its soil, and equal rights and security guarantees for both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. The vast majority of the Cypriot population agree that the two communities can and should live together, united by shared values, while preserving their individual cultural identities.

UN resolutions must be honoured. Cyprus is also a critical factor for the stability and security of South Eastern Europe and the Middle East. A solution to the Cyprus problem will widen the area of stability and peace throughout the region."

In addition to Mr. Papandreou, the Foreign Ministers of Jordan, Dr. Marwan Muasher and Malta, Dr. Joe Borg, also made reference to Cyprus in their speeches before the UN General Assembly.

More specifically, the Jordanian FM expressed his country's support in the efforts to reach a settlement to the Cyprus problem. His Maltese counterpart, who spoke more extensively about Cyprus, called the Cyprus problem "a cause of concern" in the Mediterranean region and reiterated his country's full support for a solution based on UN Security Council Resolutions. He also made reference to the catalytic role of the EU accession course in the efforts to reach a settlement in Cyprus.

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

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article