Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-10-07

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

Monday, 7 October 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides: no bridging of differences on core issues
• [02] UN Secretary-General's statement after talks
• [03] Greek Foreign Ministry Spokesman's statements on Cyprus
• [04] Verheugen's spokesman makes reference to Turkey

[01] President Clerides: no bridging of differences on core issues

Informing the press about what would happen next, the President said that the UN Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan had proposed the setting up of two ad hoc bilateral technical committees, so as not to "waste" time since Mr. Denktash would be unable to participate at further talks for an indefinite period, due to the heart surgery he is to undergo today at a New York hospital.

Referring to the two committees, in particular, President Clerides explained that "the one committee will prepare the legislation that will be needed when a solution is found for the functioning of the central government and the federal states". "The other committee" he said, "will look into the Treaties signed by the Republic of Cyprus to see which of these should continue to exist". The President made it clear that "these two committees will put forward suggestions, not take decisions. The decisions will be taken at the negotiating level".

Asked if it was only the Republic of Cyprus that would put forward Treaties, President Clerides said that each side would present the Treaties it had signed, in order for the committee to examine which of those Treaties would be in compliance with the new Constitution, in case of a settlement.

Replying to another question, the President pointed out that the UN Secretary-General did not refer to a "new state" but to a "new state of affairs", meaning a new legal situation, and added that if there was a solution on the basis of a new Constitution, which would be different from the 1960 Constitution, then that would be a new state of affairs.

On the use of the term "common state", by the Secretary-General, Mr. Clerides clarified that those terms were not binding but a way to describe something, and added that "of course there will be a common state as a term" if a solution was found.

Invited to say whether there was an intention by the United Nations to "appease" the Turkish side, President Clerides replied that the Secretary- General was not trying to appease either side, but to see how the two sides' views could be bridged.

Commenting on Mr. Denktash's warning that the accession of Cyprus to the EU would mean permanent division of the island, he said that "there might not be a solution, but the division will not be recognised."

President Clerides also mentioned that the Secretary-General was considering holding another meeting in November, and that Mr. Annan had not yet decided if he would submit any solution plan.

[02] UN Secretary-General's statement after talks

In a written statement that was read out by his Special Adviser on Cyprus, Mr. Alvaro de Soto, Mr. Annan said that there was no simple solution to the Cyprus problem and stressed that Greece and Turkey had an important role to play in that respect. He also mentioned that he would be meeting with the two men again in November.

The Secretary-General's statement reads as follows:

"I have completed this afternoon two days of intensive consultations on Cyprus with His Excellency Mr. Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and His Excellency Mr. Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader.

I am happy to report that, since I met the two leaders in Paris, they have focused on the issues I highlighted, and there has been an encouraging effort to explore ways of bridging differences pragmatically. Here in New York, I tried to crystallize for the two leaders a way they could push their discussions forward to further narrow their differences, with the active assistance of my Special Adviser, Mr. Alvaro de Soto.

As part of their effort to bridge differences pragmatically, the two leaders have decided to create two ad hoc bilateral technical committees to begin work immediately on important technical issues. The purpose of these committees is to make recommendations on technical matters, without prejudice to the positions of the two leaders on the core issues concerned. Their work shall be ad referendum, and shall focus on treaties and future "common state" laws. The United Nations will assist the parties in this work.

There is no simple solution to the Cyprus problem. For this reason a comprehensive settlement has to be a complex, integrated, legally binding and self-executing agreement, where the rights and obligations of all concerned are clear, unambiguous, and not subject to further negotiation. I hope the work of the committees will help the leaders towards this end.

The opportunity that is at hand must be seized. In this regard, Greece and Turkey have an important role to play, and I look forward to their continued support.

As is well known, Mr. Denktash will undergo surgery soon, and he is not likely to be available for a few weeks. But work will continue in October, and I have asked the leaders to clear their diaries during November, when I am looking forward to seeing them again. "

In the actual statement, there is a footnote indicating that the term "common state" is a provisional term.

Speaking to the press after having read the statement, the UN Secretary- General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Mr. Alvaro de Soto explained that the term common state described "the state that will be at the centre of a reunified Cyprus."

Commenting on the setting up of the two committees, the UN official stated: "It is a very good thing that they have agreed that this technical work must move forward and that it will help the efforts considerably."

Asked if the Secretary-General hoped for a solution by the end of the year, Mr. de Soto said "we all hope for a solution as soon as possible, before the end of this year."

Invited to say whether he would be personally participating in the work of the two committees, Mr. de Soto noted that "the UN will assist the work of the committees" and announced that he would be returning to Cyprus this week.

On the November meeting, the UN envoy said that "a precise date and place for their next meeting, some time probably in early November, will be set in due course".

Moreover, the UN Secretary-General was asked some questions regarding Cyprus, at his encounter with the press as he was exiting a Security Council meeting on Iraq. Invited to comment on Mr. Denktash's warning that if Cyprus acceded to the EU the talks would stop and Cyprus would remain divided forever, Mr. Annan replied that "we will jump that hurdle when we get there". He also reiterated the UN's determination in achieving progress at the peace talks.

[03] Greek Foreign Ministry Spokesman's statements on Cyprus

Asked to comment on the possibility of Greece imposing a veto in the event of a deadlock concerning Cyprus' accession to the EU, Mr. Beglitis pointed out that "in case there is a turn by certain countries with regard to the decisions that have been collectively and unanimously adopted in relation to the enlargement process, all facts will change and the whole discussion for the enlargement process must be set for a new start."

He added that the decision for the accession of the ten candidate countries to the EU would be adopted in December, in Copenhagen, and expressed the opinion that no member country would endanger the enlargement process. Mr. Beglitis referred to the ratification of the Nice Treaty by Ireland on 19 October, and added that the results of the Irish referendum would be decisive for the Enlargement process.

In replying to a question regarding the Cyprus problem, Mr.Beglitis said that by analysing the recent developments, it was not possible for a solution to be attained by December. "According to the information as well as the indications of the Greek Government, a solution plan is expected to be submitted after the Turkish elections of 3 November, 2002", he added.

Mr. Beglitis, declined the possibility that a USA operation against Iraq would adversely affect Cyprus' accession to the EU or developments in the direction towards finding a solution to the problem. "You are aware that the Cyprus issue has developed a dynamic of its own, due to the accession process and the accession negotiations, such that, the solution process has also developed a dynamic of its own. I do not believe that these two driving forces will be terminated by developments in Iraq. At the same time, I do not believe that the Iraqi case can halt the enlargement process", he noted.

Commenting on a reporter's remark, Mr. Beglitis stated that the US Government had every interest in the possibility of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, and, of course, the will to cooperate. Furthermore, Mr. Beglitis stated that the issue of Cyprus' accession, namely how that accession process would be carried out, was a matter that concerned the EU.

Asked how Cyprus would join the Union, Mr. Beglitis replied that "the Council of Ministers has made it clear that when we refer to Cyprus' accession to the EU, we refer to the totality of the Republic of Cyprus, but, of course, due to the circumstances and the event of occupation of part of the territory of the Republic, the implementation of the acquis communautaire will only concern the free part of the island." He added that, "this has been the context within which the Commission is working, in relation to the preparations for the process of adherence."

Furthermore, Mr. Beglitis stated that a shift in Turkish policy had been noted, after the Helsinki European Council, that has led to an improvement in relations between Greece and Turkey. He expressed the hope that the policy of Turkey towards Cyprus would also change, in order to give way to a positive outcome with regard to a solution of the Cyprus issue. He also added that for a solution to be commonly accepted, it should be based on a reconciliatory framework. "A solution needs to be based on a give and take approach, and within the context outlined by the Organisation of the UN", he concluded.

[04] Verheugen's spokesman makes reference to Turkey

Regarding the date of accession negotiations to be set for Turkey, Mr. Filory said that a date would not be set until the European Commission issued the Progress Report on all candidate countries next week, and added that all possibilities are open. "The Commission may not even take a stand on the issue of setting a date for accession negotiations with this country", he added.

Replying to a question on Turkey's candidacy status, Mr Filory, stated that the giving Turkey the status of a candidate for EU accession country, a decision that was adopted in Helsinki in 1999, was not a mistake. He also said that due to the framework outlined in Helsinki, Turkey had made progress in the fields of human rights and democracy.

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

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