Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-10-18

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

Friday, 18 October 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides departs for Athens
• [02] Verheugen: Cyprus' accession to the EU cannot be postponed
• [03] Sweden supports Cyprus' EU membership bid
• [04] Austria in favour of Cyprus' accession to the EU
• [05] Irish Government will support Nice Treaty ratification

[01] President Clerides departs for Athens

Prior to his departure, at the Larnaca airport, President Clerides met with the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Mr. Alvaro de Soto, who had just returned from Ankara, where he held contacts on the Cyprus problem.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, the President said Mr. de Soto informed him that due to complications to Mr. Denktash's health, it was unlikely that the talks would resume before 15 November.

Asked to say whether a solution plan would be submitted any time soon, Mr. Clerides replied that the UN Secretary-General had not decided upon that yet.

On the two technical committees, the President said they would begin work as soon as the Turkish side appointed its representatives to those committees.

Mr. de Soto also informed him, Mr. Clerides told reporters, of his trip to Athens early next week, where he would have talks with the Greek government.

[02] Verheugen: Cyprus' accession to the EU cannot be postponed

The above significant statement was made by the Enlargement Commissioner Mr. Gunter Verheugen, who was replying to a comment by Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos, the Chairman of the Cyprus Parliamentary Committee of European Affairs, at the Conference on Enlargement organised by the Danish Parliament.

Speaking at the Conference, on Wednesday in Copenhagen, the Enlargement Commissioner noted the significance of this wave of enlargement in promoting European reunification and called the European Commission's progress reports on the candidate states, a "historic step" for the enlargement process.

On Cyprus, Mr. Verheugen expressed hope that a reunited island would become member of the EU, reiterating at the same time the relevant Helsinki conclusions, which disassociated Cyprus' EU entry from a prior solution to the Cyprus problem.

The Commissioner underlined that there was now a window of opportunity for finding a solution and called upon the parties involved to enhance their efforts, especially in light of the possible submission of a solution plan by the UN Secretary-General, after the Turkish elections in November.

Referring to Turkey's reaction to the Commission's progress report, he said it was "totally unjustifiable". "I would expect", Mr. Verheugen added, "Turkey to accept the report and admit that it needs a lot more effort regarding its accession course".

Commenting on Mr. Verheugen's remarks on Cyprus, Mr. Papadopoulos - who was representing the Cyprus Parliament to the Conference along with MPs Mr. Andreas Christou and Mr. Dimitris Syllouris - stressed that the Greek Cypriot side had shown good will and cooperative spirit at the UN-led peace talks, something that had been recognised both by the Secretary-General and the Security Council. He added that a possible solution to the Cyprus problem must be comprehensive, detailed and self-executing, as mentioned repeatedly by the UN.

On the sidelines of the conference, the three Cyprus' MPs had the opportunity to meet with their European counterparts and inform them on the latest developments with regard to the Cyprus problem. They also represented the Cyprus Parliament to the Conference of the Community and European Affairs Committees of Parliaments of the EU (COSAC), which began yesterday in Copenhagen.

[03] Sweden supports Cyprus' EU membership bid

Asked about Turkey's EU accession course, Ms. Lindh noted that Turkey still had "limitations in issues of democracy and respect for human rights", but expressed hope that it would implement all the necessary reforms the soonest possible.

The Swedish FM appeared optimistic that all obstacles to the enlargement process would be overcome and that the EU would keep to the schedule at the European Council in Brussels, at the end of October.

[04] Austria in favour of Cyprus' accession to the EU

During the meeting, Mr. Christofias thanked his Austrian counterpart for his country's support to Cyprus. "We are grateful to Austria", he said, "because, for many years it has been standing by the side of the people of Cyprus, in its struggle for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the UN Resolutions and the High Level Agreements".

Mr. Christofias said that Austria has also been supporting Cyprus in a practical way by sending soldiers and officers to participate in the International UN Peacekeeping Force (UNFICYP).

The House President also stated that there was an exchange of views with Mr. Fischer on the Cyprus issue and on EU enlargement and added: "I wish to thank Mr. Fischer, for his reassurance that all political powers in Austria, irrespective of ideological background, are in favour of Cyprus/ accession into the EU."

Regarding Cyprus/ application for accession to the EU, Mr. Fischer, stated that his country, was satisfied and content that Cyprus has fulfilled all the criteria and preconditions set by the EU for becoming a full member, and that in relation to other countries, Cyprus ranks high on the candidacy list.

Mr. Fischer added that in Austria there were no objections for Cyprus' accession into the EU. "We believe, that if Cyprus wishes to become an EU member, it is justifiable, positive and necessary, since it fulfils all the criteria", he concluded.

[05] Irish Government will support Nice Treaty ratification

At the meeting, the two Ministers, praised the cooperation between their governments and agreed upon enhancing this cooperation in the field of technical knowledge.

Mr. Klerides, thanked his counterpart for the support of the Irish Government regarding Cyprus/ accession into the EU, and also for the aid offered by Ireland with respect to the harmonization process on various sectors. Mr. Klerides, also briefed Mr McCreevy, on the negotiations aimed towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, and also on issues that are related to the economy of Cyprus and its accession course.

The Irish Finance Minister reiterated the Irish Government's support with regard to the ratification of the Niece Treaty and the enlargement of the EU. Mr McCreevy expressed the hope that all candidate countries, including Cyprus, would be given the same opportunity that was given to Ireland back in 1972.

Concluding, Mr. McCreevy also expressed the hope for a solution to the Cyprus problem, as soon as possible, adding that Ireland expected to cooperate with Cyprus even more closely, after its accession, on 1/1/2004, when Ireland would be holding the EU Presidency.

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

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