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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-03-12
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Wednesday, 12 March 2003 President Papadopoulos pledges to continue the
efforts for a Cyprus solution
[02] European Commission: after 1 May 2004 a part of the European Union
will be under occupation.
[03] European Commission confirms that the accession process will go ahead
as scheduled
[04] Council of Europe Secretary General: dialogue on the reunification of
Cyprus must go on
[05] US Government remains committed to seeking a just and viable Cyprus
solution
[01] President Papadopoulos pledges to continue the efforts for a Cyprus
solution
The President of the Republic Mr Tassos Papadopoulos expressed last night
his disappointment for "the failure of the most intense and continuous
effort ever made for the solution to the Cyprus problem", but pledged to
continue the efforts for a Cyprus settlement. Speaking at Larnaca airport
on his return from The Hague, Mr Papadopoulos said that the Greek Cypriot
side would not abandon the effort of finding a functional and viable
solution to the Cyprus problem. "Once again I am committed that we will
intensify our efforts so that despite today's failure, we will promote a
solution of the Cyprus problem which will serve the proper interests of the
Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots'', he said.
The President said that the government would be in constant touch with the
United Nations Secretary-General and would launch an international campaign
to inform world public opinion and decision-making centres on the positions
of the Greek Cypriot side and the reason for the collapse of the negotiations
at The Hague. "We believe that when the facts become known, everyone will
find out, if there is responsibility, that it is solely due to the
intransigence shown by the Turkish side, and especially due to the position
of Mr. Denktash", he added.
Noting Mr Denktash/s insistence on promoting his vision, namely a solution
based on the creation of two separate states in Cyprus, Mr Papadopoulos
pointed out that when asked by the UN Secretary General what his decision
was on the submission of the Annan Plan to a referendum, Mr Denktash/s,
clear reply was: "You invited me here to say 'yes' or 'no' and my reply is
'no'. I don't like your plan, and I will not support it". Addressing the
Turkish Cypriots President Papadopoulos assured them that the government
would continue the efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem
soon, so that a united Cyprus can enter the European Union and all the
people of the island, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, can share the
increased benefits and advantages of EU accession.
[02] European Commission: after 1 May 2004 a part of the European Union
will be under occupation.
After the 1st May 2004, part of the European Union will be under occupation
and the occupation of part of Cyprus will continue to be considered as
illegal by the international community including the European Union.
The above was stated by Mr Jean Christophe Filori, Press Spokesman of the
European Commissioner for Enlargement Mr Gunter Verheugen during his press
briefing yesterday. In his statement Mr Filori said that the Commission
"regrets that the UN efforts to solve the Cyprus problem have not been
successful and confirms that the accession process will go ahead as
foreseen according to the existing timetable". All the necessary preliminary
legal steps have been taken to permit this, he added.
Replying to questions, Mr Filori said that if there was still no peace
settlement when the EU executive reported in December 2004 on Turkey's own
bid to open accession talks, it would be very difficult to recommend
starting negotiations. "If by the time of the report at the end of 2004
there is still no settlement on Cyprus, we will be facing this rather weird
situation where a candidate country knocking at the door does not recognise
one of our own member states", he said.
Asked whether the EU would consider part of its territory under illegal
occupation after Cyprus' accession, Mr Filori replied: ''Yes, we can look
at things in that way. This occupation has always been considered illegal
by the international community, including the EU. Nothing changes
there".
[03] European Commission confirms that the accession process will go ahead
as scheduled
The European Commission issued the following statement yesterday: "The
Commission regrets that the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General,
Mr Kofi Annan, to find a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem
have not been successful. The Commission has lent its full support to this
process and recalls the willingness of the European Union to accommodate a
settlement in line with the principles on which the EU is founded.
While such a settlement was the preference of the European Union, the
Commission confirms that the accession process will go ahead as foreseen
according to the existing timetable. All the necessary preliminary legal
steps have been taken to permit this. The Commission notes the statement of
the Secretary-general that his plan remains on the table. The Commission is
ready to assist any further efforts in this context. The Commission
encourages all parties concerned, and, in particular Turkey, to strive to
achieve a settlement. The Commission expresses its solidarity with all
Cypriots and acknowledges the courage with which the Turkish-Cypriots have
expressed their European convictions. The Commission will continue to
support projects in Cyprus to benefit both communities, to reduce economic
disparities on the island and to build confidence between them."
[04] Council of Europe Secretary General: dialogue on the reunification of
Cyprus must go on
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Mr Walter Schwimmer
expressed, yesterday, his disappointment at the breakdown in the talks on
the reunification of Cyprus. "I deeply regret that these negotiations have
failed. However, even though it is difficult to foresee the next opportunity
to discuss Kofi Annan's plan, it remains on the table. It is therefore
important to pursue political dialogue, taking into account both the
concerns of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities", he said
"All Cypriots should enjoy the same rights - those enjoyed by 800 million
Europeans in the Council of Europe member states. In the same way, with
accession to the EU they would all also enjoy the advantages of EU
membership", he added.
[05] US Government remains committed to seeking a just and viable Cyprus
solution
The Spokesman of the US State Department, Mr Richard Boucher expressed, in
his daily press briefing on Monday, his deep disappointment over the
failure of the UN Secretary General's efforts to reach a Cyprus settlement
during talks in The Hague, but stressed that the United States would remain
committed to seeking a just and viable settlement to the Cyprus problem.
Invited to comment on the statement by the Secretary General, in which he
indirectly blamed Mr. Denktash for the breakdown, Mr Boucher said that the
Secretary General had described the responses of President Papadopoulos, as
well as Mr. Denktash, to the proposals for the referendum and the reasons
why his efforts didn't succeed. "We find it very regrettable that Mr.
Denktash has denied Turkish Cypriots the opportunity to determine their own
future and to vote on such a fundamental issue", he added.
Asked whether the US felt that the new Turkish Government could have done
more to push Mr Denktash to accept the deal, Mr Boucher said: "We will look
at the report that the Secretary-General presents to the Security Council.
We will see in there what the various sides have done." Finally, Mr Boucher
pointed out that the Cyprus issue had been an issue of close consultation
between the United States and Turkey, and that the Secretary-General had
emphasized in all his meetings with Turkish or Greek and European diplomats
for that matter, the importance that the US were attaching to reaching an
agreement on Cyprus.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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