Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-10-29

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

Tuesday, 29 October 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides participates in EU briefing in Copenhagen
• [02] Greek PM holds talks with British counterpart on Cyprus
• [03] Cyprus FM meets US State Department envoy
• [04] Washington remains committed to UN efforts for solution
• [05] French FM: solution not a precondition for Cyprus' EU accession

[01] President Clerides participates in EU briefing in Copenhagen

The Danish Prime Minister, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who chairs the European Council, told candidate states' leaders that the Brussels Summit had removed the last obstacles to EU enlargement, since the EU leaders adopted the financial framework for enlargement, the instruments for monitoring and safeguard clauses concerning operations of the internal market.

Mr. Rasmussen also said that the Brussels meeting had cleared the way for the accession negotiations with ten countries to be concluded at the Copenhagen Council on 12 - 13 December. The Accession Treaty would be signed in Athens in April 2003, he added.

President Clerides, speaking during the briefing by the Danish Presidency, expressed Cyprus' satisfaction over the results of the Brussels European Council and underlined the Government's readiness to finalise negotiations on the pending chapters of the acquis communautaire, with a view to completing successfully its accession course at Copenhagen, in December.

On the sidelines of yesterday's briefing, the Cyprus President met briefly with the Turkish President, Mr. Ahmet Necdet Sezer. President Clerides reiterated Cyprus' position regarding the setting of a date for Turkey to begin accession talks with the EU, adding that the closer Turkey got to Europe, the easier it would be to resolve differences.

On the Cyprus problem, Mr. Clerides assured Mr. Sezer that the Greek Cypriot side was ready to continue with the peace talks, in order to lead them to a successful conclusion. The Turkish President asked Mr. Clerides when would the two ad hoc technical committees begin their work and the latter replied that they would as the Turkish Cypriot side was ready.

[02] Greek PM holds talks with British counterpart on Cyprus

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Simitis pointed out that the main topic of discussion with Mr. Blair was the Cyprus problem, in light of Cyprus' accession course to the European Union. The Greek PM expressed the view that Britain had always been supportive of Cyprus' accession to the EU, regardless of a solution to the political issue.

Other subjects discussed, Mr. Simitis said, were the Greek Presidency of the European Union during the first semester of next year, the Parthenon Marbles, the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and international issues of mutual concern, such as the situation in Iraq and terrorism.

Later on yesterday, the Greek Prime Minister briefed Greek correspondents and overseas Greek and Cypriot media representatives, on what he had discussed with his British counterpart. In particular, he referred to the enlargement of the EU, predicting that the process would continue and that the political decision for the accession of the ten candidate countries would be taken in the form of a package deal.

On Cyprus, Mr. Simitis emphasised that caution was needed with regard to Cyprus' EU accession course and the solution of the Cyprus problem. He reiterated that no progress had been achieved that far in the UN-led effort for finding a settlement, due to the intransigent stance of the Turkish side. A solution to the Cyprus issue, he added, would have to be based on the relevant UN decisions and most importantly, be a viable solution, which would allow the Cyprus State to function within the EU, take decisions effectively and able to implement the acquis over its entire sovereignty.

[03] Cyprus FM meets US State Department envoy

"We clarified beyond any doubt our positions on various aspects of the Cyprus problem", Mr. Kasoulides said after the meeting, adding that in that context "the US is now in a position to comprehend even more clearly our views".

Invited by reporters to comment on the outcome of the Brussels European Council with regard to enlargement, the Cyprus FM said it paved the way for the successful conclusion of Cyprus' accession negotiations with the European Union, along with the other nine candidate countries. He also underlined that it proved wrong all those who feared that Cyprus' EU membership bid would be differentiated from the other candidacies, due to the political problem on the island.

Replying to another question on the functioning of the European Army, Mr. Kasoulides expressed satisfaction over the general principles of the common position adopted by the EU leaders in that respect and added that EU member states could now take decisions without fearing a veto from non-EU member states.

[04] Washington remains committed to UN efforts for solution

In his letter, the American President states the following:

"Direct talks on the island between Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash continue under the auspices of the United Nations. As in the past reporting periods, the Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston provided diplomatic support to the process. Our new Ambassador to Cyprus Michael Klosson provided similar support when he assumed his post in August. The United States remains committed to the United Nations effort to find a just and lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem."

[05] French FM: solution not a precondition for Cyprus' EU accession

Mr. de Villepin stressed the importance of the ongoing efforts to reach a settlement, since the Cyprus problem was a "delicate matter and one of strategic importance", as he claimed. He also emphasised that it was important to have the political will to reach a settlement in Cyprus, adding: "we have to do all we can to get some movement in the matter and reach some conclusion by the Copenhagen summit".

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

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