Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-10-31

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

Thursday, 31 October 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides meets US State Department envoy
• [02] Cyprus Chief EU Negotiator holds contacts in Brussels
• [03] House President meets President of Finnish parliamentary delegation
• [04] Cyprus Ambassador to Poland presents credentials

[01] President Clerides meets US State Department envoy

After the meeting, the US envoy made the following statement:

"I just had an excellent meeting with the President of the Republic Mr. Glafcos Clerides. All my meetings with President Clerides are excellent, but this one is especially good because it is clear that we are going through a period where there is a real possibility to get what we have been working on for so long, which is a just and durable settlement to the Cyprus problem".

Mr. Weston, who departed yesterday for Germany, said he was leaving the island with "a greater sense of the possibilities in the period ahead" and reiterated Washington's commitment to work towards achieving a "good outcome".

[02] Cyprus Chief EU Negotiator holds contacts in Brussels

During the meeting, Cyprus' demands with regard to agriculture, such as EU subsidies on milk, cereal and beef as well as issues concerning the sustainable development of rural regions, were put forward.

On the budget chapter, Mr. Vassiliou was assured by EU officials that Cyprus would not be in a less favourable position, after accession, than it was one year before accession.

Overall, the meeting confirmed that Cyprus was very close to completing the accession negotiations.

[03] House President meets President of Finnish parliamentary delegation

Mr. Christofias briefed the Finnish MP on the present phase of the Cyprus problem, expressing pessimism regarding the possibility of finding a solution prior to the Copenhagen European Council, given the Turkish side's intransigent stance at the negotiating table, which calls for two separate states in Cyprus.

The Greek Cypriot side, the House President said, had proved on numerous occasions its willingness to find a viable solution to the Cyprus issue, provided that the solution was based on UN decisions, complied with the acquis communautaire and safeguarded the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots.

He also thanked the Finnish MP for her country's constant support to the Cypriot people's struggle for a settlement.

On her turn, the President of the Finnish parliamentary delegation, Ms. Karttunen, pledged the solidarity of Finland with the Cypriot people and wished for a prompt reunification of Cyprus, through a viable solution which would function to the benefit of all Cypriots.

[04] Cyprus Ambassador to Poland presents credentials

The Polish President, receiving the credentials, referred to the excellent cooperation between the two countries and pointed out the prospects for further bilateral cooperation, once Poland and Cyprus become EU member states.

With regard to the Cyprus problem, he expressed Poland's support to the continuous efforts by the United Nations for finding a settlement and wished that a solution would be reached soon. He also underlined that the impending accession of Cyprus to the EU would act positively in the efforts for reaching a solution.

Cyprus' Ambassador to Poland briefed the Polish President on the latest developments regarding Cyprus' political issue and its EU accession course and pledged to work towards the development of the closest possible cooperation between Cyprus and Poland.

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

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