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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-03-20
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Thursday, 20 March 2003 European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee
votes in favour of Cyprus accession to the EU
[02] US Senators condemn Turkey and Denktash for the failure of talks
[03] Minister of Communications and Works: Cyprus is a safe destination
[01] European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee votes in favour of
Cyprus accession to the EU
The European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee voted yesterday, in
Brussels, in favour of the accession of the ten candidate countries to the
European Union, including Cyprus. The Foreign Affairs Committee gave the
green light to Cyprus' accession by adopting with an overwhelming majority
of 57 votes in favour, one against and two abstentions, a recommendation by
Rapporteur Jacques Poos, which was incorporated in a general report on
enlargement, by the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Mr Elmar
Brok. The recommendation on the application of the Republic of Cyprus for
EU membership, which includes an explanatory report and a draft resolution,
that takes into consideration the draft Accession Treaty and a series of
resolutions, decisions and reports relating to Cyprus, will be referred to
the European Parliament's plenary session of 9 April in Strasbourg for
final approval. With this recommendation, the European Parliament gives its
assent to the application by the Republic of Cyprus to become a member of
the European Union and instructs its President to convey the European
Parliament's position to the Council and Commission, and to the governments
and parliaments of the member states and Cyprus.
It must be noted that in Rapporteur Poos/ explanatory report, heavy
responsibility is attributed to Mr Denktash and those around him for the
failure of the talks on the solution of the Cyprus problem and for the
disappointment and anger of a very large number of Turkish Cypriot citizens
and of the parties of the Turkish Cypriot opposition, who continue their
mass demonstrations in favour of the Annan plan and EU accession. The
report also underlines that the Government of the Republic of Cyprus is,
according to international law, the only legal government of Cyprus. In
parallel there is a reference to UN Security Council Resolution 541, which
states that the declaration of the "TRNC" is invalid and calls upon all
states not to recognise any Cypriot state other than the Republic of
Cyprus. Commenting on the outcome of the European Parliament's vote, the
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr George Iacovou stated yesterday that it was
the "best result" any of the ten candidate countries had managed to get,
adding that the Committee's opinion was an indication of the final outcome
with regard to the accession of Cyprus. The Foreign Minister said that
there was optimism that Cyprus/ EU accession course would be successfully
completed.
[02] US Senators condemn Turkey and Denktash for the failure of talks
US Senators, Ms Shelley Berkley and Mr Joseph Crowley have condemned the
negative stand of the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Ankara,
which led to the deadlock of the talks on the Cyprus problem. Speaking
before the plenary session of the US House of Representatives on Tuesday 18
March, Ms Berkley stated that, Mr Denktash's veto of the UN peace Plan, was
not only a rejection of the efforts of the UN, and the interests of its
member states, but was also in contradiction with the interests of the
Turkish Cypriots themselves. Ms Berkley said that the reunification of
Cyprus would help to enhance the local and regional stability of the region
and pointed out that, if the civilian and military leaders in Ankara were
serious about achieving a negotiated settlement on Cyprus, they could
clearly prevail upon Mr Denktash to deal in good faith. ''By doing so,
Turkey would not only be helping the Turkish Cypriots, but would be acting
in its own self interest, as Turkey's own bid for EU membership hinges to a
significant degree on its playing a constructive role in ending the
division of Cyprus", she added. Moreover, she stated that the Greek Cypriot
side, had over the years made one concession after another in the search
for peace, and that the most recent plan put forward by the UN Secretary-
General, had forced the Government of Cyprus to make many difficult
decisions.
''President Papadopoulos -who was just recently elected in free and fair
elections-was willing to put the Plan before the people in a democratic
manner'', she said. Ms Berkley praised President Papadopoulos for leaving
the door wide open to resuming the process of negotiations and stated that,
it was time for the US Government to put the necessary pressure on Mr
Denktash and the Government of Turkey, to negotiate in good faith and agree
to a referendum. Concluding, she stressed that continued obstructionism by
Mr Denktash should trigger coordinated UN sanctions against the Turkish
Cypriot leader and that the new government of Turkey should recognise its
share of responsibility in the current stalemate, and show leadership in
guiding Mr Denktash back to the path of peace.
On his part, Mr Joseph Crowley, said that the UN peace plan to reunite
Cyprus as a single bicommunal federation, enjoyed strong support by the US,
the EU, and the wider international community. He applauded President
Papadopoulos who had accepted the UN proposal and was prepared to submit
the Plan to a separate referendum on 30 March. "Immediately after the
failure of the negotiations, Papadopoulos announced that the Greek Cypriot
side will continue its efforts for reaching a solution to the Cypriot issue
within the UN framework," he said. The US Senator pointed out that the
Turkish intransigence hurts first and foremost Turkey and the Turkish
Cypriots themselves, adding that "the failure of the unification endeavours
complicates Ankara's own efforts to join the European Union as the European
Commission warned Turkey on 11 March.'' In conclusion, Mr Crowley
expressing the desire for the US to remain involved in seeking a just and
permanent solution to the Cyprus issue.
[03] Minister of Communications and Works: Cyprus is a safe destination
The Minister of Communications and Works Mr Kikis Kazamias, said that
various airline companies such as British Airways have requested additional
landing permits on Cyprus airports because due to the crisis in the Persian
Gulf they have suspended their flights to airports of Middle Eastern
countries. This development, the Minister said, undoubtedly proves that
Cyprus is a safe destination and that it is not included in the high risk
zone. Mr Kazamias pointed out that Cyprus would be able to grant landing
permits to aeroplanes of companies which have suspended their flights to
counties of the Middle East. He also stressed that the number of airline
companies which consider Cyprus as a safe heaven increases by the
day.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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