Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-12-09

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

Monday, 9 December 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus FM: Time until Copenhagen "particularly crucial"
• [02] Greek Culture Minister discusses Cyprus problem with UN Chief
• [03] Pat Cox: "Do not lose this golden opportunity"

[01] Cyprus FM: Time until Copenhagen "particularly crucial"

Mr. Kasoulides was speaking to the press yesterday, at Larnaca airport, upon his departure for Brussels, where he will participate in the General Affairs Council of Ministers of the candidate states as well as in other meetings on pending matters to be concluded by the Copenhagen Summit. He will also have separate meetings with his Dutch counterpart and the British envoy on Cyprus, Lord David Hannay.

Replying to a question, he did not rule out the possibility of having "an agreement on procedure and a commitment that we shall work for a solution on the basis of the UN Secretary-General's proposal", if no agreement was reached on the substance of the foundation agreement by 12 December.

Invited to comment on statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Rauf Denktash, after the latter's return to the occupied areas, Mr. Kasoulides noted that "during the crucial next three days, one must not take at face value any statements because a lot is going on behind the scenes that does not necessarily relate to public statements".

Mr. Kasoulides will depart tomorrow for Rome for a meeting with his Italian counterpart, Mr. Fratini, and from there he will be travelling to Copenhagen for the crucial enlargement summit.

[02] Greek Culture Minister discusses Cyprus problem with UN Chief

Speaking after the meeting, at UN Headquarters, Mr. Venizelos said that he discussed with Mr. Annan - not only from his position as Culture Minister but also as a scientist of constitutional law - the problematic issues of the UN plan, particularly as regards the transitional period that "must be decreased a lot".

He also said that he made reference to the "vital issue of the criteria for granting Cypriot citizenship, a matter that relates with the crucial issue of settlers", while reiterating that the Greek side supported the Secretary- General's initiatives and accepted the plan as a basis for negotiation.

"Our goal", Mr Venizelos stressed, "is the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union, on 12 December", adding that if no agreement was reached by then, the "momentum must be sustained". "Besides, legally, this matter will be judged on 16 April, with the signing of the Accession Treaties of the new member states", he concluded.

[03] Pat Cox: "Do not lose this golden opportunity"

Speaking upon his arrival at Larnaca airport, on Saturday night, Mr. Cox stressed that "an unprecedented opportunity" had arisen in the history of the Cyprus problem and warned the parties involved not to let it slip away.

He said that the EU would be called upon to make a "historic decision" in Copenhagen, next Friday, and expressed hope that Cypriots would take into consideration the "strong wish" of the EU for a foundation agreement to be reached by then, in order for a reunited island to become member of the Union.

Asked if Cyprus would get an unconditional go-ahead for EU accession at Copenhagen, Mr. Cox said that the "optimum" would be for a settlement to be found and for a reunited Cyprus to be able to sign the Accession Treaty, adding that "we must push for the very best solution for the whole island and between the island and its neighbours and between its neighbours and the EU, we all stand to gain if we push for the optimum".

Yesterday, Mr. Cox met with the House President, Mr. Demetris Christofias, in Nicosia.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, the EP President communicated "the great anxiety we feel in the EU, to try to make as much progress as possible by the time of Copenhagen".

He said that he had heard very clearly the "genuine concerns" of Mr. Christofias and other MPs as regards the UN proposals for a settlement, and conveyed to them his own message, namely, "to regard the days that are available to us until Copenhagen as important and indispensable in creating the political dynamics, not just here on the island but in the surrounding region that might permit a comprehensive settlement to unfold".

"We are now constructing a new future for the European continent and the island of Cyprus is part of the vision", he concluded.

The House President, Mr. Christofias, thanked Mr. Cox for the European Parliament's support of Cyprus' EU accession course, and reiterated the Greek Cypriot side's willingness to negotiate in a constructive manner in order to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

He also expressed certainty that "President Clerides has the same good will now as he will have tomorrow and the day after", saying that if there was a development before Copenhagen that satisfied the President, he would respond.

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

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