Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-12-11

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

Wednesday, 11 December 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides departs for Copenhagen
• [02] National Council discusses revised UN plan
• [03] Washington welcomes revision of UN plan
• [04] Cyprus Foreign Minister meets Dutch counterpart
• [05] EU Danish Presidency completes accession negotiations with 10 candidates

[01] President Clerides departs for Copenhagen

Replying to a press question, at Larnaca airport, the President stressed that Cyprus' EU accession and the solution of the Cyprus problem were two "different issues".

Invited to say whether it was possible for a foundation agreement to be signed by Saturday, he noted that he was concerned with that possibility but had not taken a decision on that as yet.

Asked if the revised UN plan allowed room for further negotiation or change, President Clerides reiterated the position he put before the National Council members during yesterday's meeting, namely, that "there is a small margin for further revision of this plan, beyond the revision that has been made".

Invited to comment on information that there is a British plan supporting that the decision on Cyprus' EU accession be made in April 2003 and not at Copenhagen, if no agreement on the revised plan is reached, the President replied: "that information is not confirmed; when I arrive there [in Copenhagen] I will see enough people to assess whether there is indeed such a notion".

Asked to say whether he would negotiate with a representative of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Rauf Denktash, who will not travel to Copenhagen due to health problems, Mr. Clerides pointed out that in the past he had refused to negotiate with anyone else except Mr. Denktash. He added that this was an issue discussed at the National Council meeting, but he did not elaborate further.

Replying to another question, the President emphasised that he would take into consideration the opinions of all political parties represented in the National Council and then he would take a decision, also depending on other developments.

Mr. Clerides told the press that he would meet tonight at Copenhagen with the Greek Prime Minister, Mr. Costas Simitis.

The President is flying to Copenhagen accompanied by the Attorney General Mr. Alecos Markides, the Government Spokesman Mr. Michalis Papapetrou, the Undersecretary to the President Mr. Pantelis Kouros, the Secretary General of AKEL Mr. Demetris Christofias, the Democratic Rally President Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, the Democratic Party President Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos, the Social Democrats Movement President Mr. Yiannakis Omirou, the Fighting Democratic Movement President Mr. Dinos Michaelides, and Foreign Ministry officials.

The Foreign Minister, Mr. Ioannis Kasoulides, will fly to Copenhagen from Rome later today.

The United Democrats President, Mr. George Vassiliou, was to fly to Copenhagen from Brussels today.

The New Horizons party and the Ecological-Environmental Movement have decided not to accompany the President.

[02] National Council discusses revised UN plan

Present at the National Council meeting, which lasted for approximately six hours, were the leaders of the eight political parties that are represented in the House of Representatives, and the Attorney General, Mr. Alecos Markides, the Government Spokesman, Mr. Michalis Papapetrou and the Undersecretary to the President, Mr. Pantelis Kouros.

The Government Spokesman told reporters after the meeting that President Clerides would depart (today) for Copenhagen, accompanied by at least six of the eight political parties represented in the National Council.

[03] Washington welcomes revision of UN plan

The complete text of the statement, issued yesterday, reads as follows:

"We have long supported the United Nations efforts to achieve a Cyprus settlement, and we welcome UN Secretary-General Annan's decision today to submit a revised version of his November 11 comprehensive settlement proposal to the two sides on Cyprus. We believe the revised proposal should lead to rapid agreement.

The Secretary-General's revised proposal contains important changes that represent significant improvements for both sides. These changes reflect the concerns of both sides and are the direct result of intensive UN talks in Cyprus over the past few days and the substantive comments provided by the two sides to the UN regarding its November 11 proposal.

This is a defining moment when history can be written by courageous leaders with vision. We continue to urge at the highest levels the two sides, Turkey, and Greece to seize the historic opportunity to reach a settlement before the EU makes its decision on enlargement at its Copenhagen Summit December 12-13. We believe this should occur on the basis of the UN's revised Cyprus settlement proposal, which we believe protects the legitimate interests of both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots as well as those of Greece and Turkey."

[04] Cyprus Foreign Minister meets Dutch counterpart

Mr. Kasoulides briefed his counterpart on the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem and underlined the significance of an unimpeded accession of Cyprus to the EU in acting as a catalyst for a solution.

The Cyprus Minister then departed for Rome to meet with his Italian counterpart, within the framework of contacts with his European counterparts, in light of the Copenhagen Summit.

[05] EU Danish Presidency completes accession negotiations with 10 candidates

The Danish Foreign Minister, Mr. Per Stig Moller, speaking on behalf of the Danish Presidency of the European Council, stated that only two candidate countries, namely Cyprus and Slovakia, had announced that they accepted the Presidency's negotiating package altogether.

Mr. Moller stressed that the negotiations had been "particularly hard" and noted: "We are going through the final and most difficult phase before the Copenhagen Summit".

With regard to Cyprus in particular, the Danish Foreign Minister said that it was among the issues discussed at the General Affairs Council and "we will take note of the discussion in the presidency in Copenhagen".

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

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