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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-10-30Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>Wednesday, 30 October 2002CONTENTS
[01] President Clerides satisfied over EU briefing in CopenhagenThe President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Glafcos Clerides, expressed satisfaction over the briefing of the 13 EU candidate countries by the Danish Presidency on the outcome of the Brussels European Council, adding that "no problem appeared with regard to Cyprus and everyone considers it certain that in December it will join the European Union".Speaking upon his arrival from Copenhagen last night, President Clerides said that the Copenhagen meeting "went very well" and that it "dealt only with enlargement and not the Cyprus problem". Asked to say whether any solution plan submitted by the UN Secretary- General would be in the form of an ultimatum, Mr. Clerides pointed out that he was not given that impression, adding that Mr. Annan was not the kind of person who would say "this is it, you either take it or leave it". He also cited a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement, saying "Cyprus might accede to the EU but that does not mean that we should rush to finding a solution prior to accession". Most importantly, President Clerides stressed the fact that the UN Secretary-General had not yet decided whether and when he would submit a plan. Invited to comment on his brief encounter with the Turkish President, Mr. Ahmed Sezer, President Clerides said it was his impression that Turkey was now focusing on what to do in order to obtain a date to start accession talks with the EU. He added that the Danish Presidency of the EU "clearly told Turkey that it will be given a road map which will include many conditions, and when Turkey fulfils those conditions, then they will decide when to give it a date". Those conditions were not clarified, Mr. Clerides explained, saying that when the Turkish President insisted that Turkey be given a more specific date for accession talks "he found no response". Asked if any developments on the Cyprus problem were dependent upon Mr. Denktash's return to the negotiating table, President Clerides replied: "the view of the international community is that the Cyprus problem cannot stop because the health of one of the two negotiators does not allow him to continue, and that ways should be found to continue with the process. Which are these ways, I do not know yet". The Cyprus President also mentioned that he was briefed by the Greek Prime Minister, Mr. Costas Simitis, on the latter's meeting with his British counterpart, Mr. Tony Blair, in London, and their discussion regarding the Cyprus problem. [02] Laakso: dramatic demographic changes in the occupied areasDramatic demographic changes are taking place in the Turkish occupied areas in Cyprus and there is a real danger that the Turkish Cypriot community will become a minority, the Rapporteur of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Demography of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), Mr. Jaako Laakso, said, speaking yesterday after a meeting with the President of the Cyprus House of Representatives, Mr. Dimitris Christofias.The Finnish Rapporteur, who is in Cyprus gathering data for his report on Turkish settlers - to be presented before the Assembly at the beginning of next year -, said that the influx of thousands of Turkish settlers in the north had caused a major shift in the demographic structure of the community living there, and called upon the Council of Europe to take measures to monitor Turkey in that respect. Mr. Laakso also suggested that "a census should take place in the northern part of Cyprus and perhaps in the entire area of the Republic". The Cyprus House President, Mr. Christofias, thanked Mr. Laakso for his hard work on the issue of colonization by Turkish settlers of the occupied part of Cyprus and praised his objectivity in putting together his report on the demographic situation in the occupied areas. [03] Cyprus FM meets French counterpart in ParisThe Cyprus Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ioannis Kasoulides, met yesterday in Paris with his French counterpart, Mr. Dominique de Villepin.The two Ministers discussed the time framework of the EU enlargement process, which will include Cyprus, in relation to the efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus issue. Other subjects discussed included bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern, such as the situation in Iraq, developments in the Middle East and the International Criminal Court. On the sidelines of his official visit to Paris, Mr. Kasoulides spoke before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly and Senate, chaired by former Prime Minister Mr. Edouard Balladur. In his speech, the Cyprus FM briefed French MPs on the latest developments with regard to the Cyprus problem and Cyprus' EU accession course, and emphasised that Cyprus could play the role of a bridge between Europe and the Middle East, promoting peace and economic development in the region. The Chairman of the French Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Balladur, addressing the Cyprus Minister, praised Cyprus' top position among EU candidate states and underlined that it fulfilled all the Copenhagen criteria for accession. He also expressed hope that a reunited Cyprus would join the Union in 2004, recalling, however, the relevant Helsinki decisions and the European Commission's recommendation of 9 October. [04] Poos: window of opportunity for a settlement open until DecemberChances have never been better in the last 28 years to solve the Cyprus problem and the window of opportunity for reaching a settlement remains open until December, the European Parliament's Rapporteur on Cyprus' accession to the EU, Mr. Jacques Poos, pointed out yesterday after his meeting with Cyprus House President, Mr. Dimitris Christofias.Mr. Poos remarked that "all reports on Cyprus' accession are positive but there is still a problem which must be resolved, and that is the political procedure which must conclude somewhere". All efforts must be made by both sides so that the final objective, which is the accession of a reunited Cyprus in the EU, is achieved, he said, adding that a solution to the Cyprus problem "will be to the benefit of all people on the island, and Cyprus will act as an independent and sovereign state within the EU". Asked if a solution plan submitted before December would constitute an obstacle to Cyprus' accession, Mr. Poos replied: "Not at all. I believe that the plan is being delayed and that the UN Secretary-General should play an active role and submit a plan which respects the UN decisions and the human rights of all Cypriots". The Cyprus House President, Mr. Christofias, thanked Mr. Poos for his efforts "to help Cyprus attain a peaceful future through the European Union and through a just, viable and peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem". [05] Finance Minister signs Agreement on Cyprus' participation in the Sixth EU Research Framework ProgrammeThe Minister of Finance Mr. Takis Klerides, together with his counterparts from the other candidate countries for EU accession, attended a meeting yesterday in Brussels, called by the European Research Commissioner Mr. Philippe Busquin. During the meeting, the participation of the candidate countries in the Euro Sixth EU Research Framework Programme was discussed, which covers the period 2003 - 2006 and constitutes a means for the creation of a unified European Research Area, a target that expresses the European Union's policy on issues of Research and Technology.Research Commissioner Busquin, Enlargement Commissioner Gunther Verheugen as well as the Danish Presidency stressed that participation in the Euro Sixth EU Research Framework Programme is a historic landmark, since it is a major step towards the integration of the candidate countries to European policies. The candidate countries and their research institutions will face the European challenge and will have the same rights as the member countries, they said. Referring to the participation of Cyprus in the programme, Finance Minister Takis Klerides said that Cyprus respects the targets set by the Lisbon European Council to make the EU the most competitive and dynamic economy in the world by 2010, able to achieve continued development with more work opportunities and greater social cohesion. He referred to the measures Cyprus is prepared to take in order to make better use of the programme and expressed the hope Cyprus research institutions and researchers will make the most of the potential offered in the programme. Finally, he called on the European Commission to contribute in the form of additional special measures to promote the participation of the research institutions of candidate countries in the Sixth Research Framework Programme. After the speeches, the Cyprus Finance Minister signed in the presence of the President of the European Commission Mr. Romano Prodi, the agreement for the participation of Cyprus in the Sixth EU Research Framework Programme (FP6 2003-2006), the total budget of which is expected to reach 17.5 billion Euros. With its participation in the Programme, Cyprus fully adopts and implements the acquis communautaire on the Chapter "Research and Science". [06] Web petition on Cyprus problemThe British EU MP, Ms. Theresa Villiers, speaking before the European Parliament in Brussels, called upon everyone to sign a petition, appearing on the internet since last August, which demands for the "Re-unification of the Republic of Cyprus and its membership bid to the European Union".Ms. Villiers stressed that the petition is an "excellent way to take advantage of technology to promote a very important cause". The petition, which will be presented to the US President Mr. George Bush, the International Court of Justice, the UN, the European Union, the US House of Representatives and the US Senate, reads as follows: "With this petition we urge you to support human rights and international law by supporting the unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. With this petition we urge the major powers to unconditionally support the Republic of Cyprus in its bid to enter the European Union. With this petition we urge the recipients to oppose threats and further acts of aggression by Turkish political and military authorities and 'convince' them to respect the International and UN resolutions and Laws." The petition can be found on the internet at the following site: . [07] Cyprus and China sign Action Plan in public health and medical scienceThe Minister of Health, Mr. Frixos Savvides, concluded a five-day official visit to China, heading a delegation of the Ministry of Health.The visit took place in the framework of the Cooperation Agreement in the fields of health and medical science, which was signed in Cyprus in January 1999. At an official meeting between the two countries' delegations at the Ministry of Health, the two Ministers signed an Action Plan for the years 2002-2004.They also had the opportunity to brief each other on matters of their jurisdiction. The Action Plan includes the exchange of experts in various sectors of medical science and medical professions, with emphasis in the fields of water and food safety, dentistry, medical treatment, thalassemea and acupuncture. Mr. Savvides expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality offered to him and thanked his Chinese counterpart, on behalf of the Cyprus Government, for China's continued support in Cyprus' struggle for justice. He also extended an invitation to the Chinese Minister to visit Cyprus. [08] Cyprus and Georgia to enhance economic, trade and tourist cooperationThe Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Mr. Nicos Rolandis, met yesterday with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia, Mrs. Tamara Berucashvily, who is visiting Cyprus.At the meeting, the two ministers discussed issues of economic, trade and tourist cooperation between Cyprus and Georgia and briefed each other on the two countries' economies. In the framework of further enhancing trade relations, the two Ministers agreed for a Cyprus business delegation to visit Georgia in 2003, with the aim of examining the prospect of closer cooperation. 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 |
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