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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-04-29

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

  • [01]Tuesday, 29 April 2003 UN encouraged by crossings across Cyprus demarcation line
  • [02] Crossings a 'good omen' for solution, says Poos
  • [03] Boucher: A lot more to be done for reaching a settlement

    [01] UN encouraged by crossings across Cyprus demarcation line

    The Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Mr Fred Eckhard, said that the UN was encouraged by the crossings of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots across the demarcation line, as it had always been part of the UN Cyprus mission's mandate to encourage contacts with both sides. Asked during yesterday's press briefing to comment on the situation on the island, Mr Eckhard noted, "We are encouraged by these crossings; we are facilitating them, working with the authorities, and we can only hope that these developments will have a positive bearing on the ultimate goal of the reunification of the island." Replying to another question, the UN Spokesman stressed that no comparisons could be made between the situation in Cyprus and the collapse of the Berlin wall. Invited to say whether the UN Secretary-General's role regarding the search for a settlement had changed in any way, Mr Eckhard replied, "The Secretary- General said, as recently as his visit to Athens last week, that he continues to be prepared to play a role. But, he said he needs to see a sea change in the attitudes. He has to be convinced of the real political will on both sides to move the process forward. If he sees signs of that political will on both sides, he's happy to get involved again."

    [02] Crossings a 'good omen' for solution, says Poos

    The European Parliament's Rapporteur on Cyprus' accession to the European Union, Mr Jacques Poos, expressed the belief that the easing of restrictions on free movement and the crossings across the demarcation line constituted a "good omen" towards the settlement of the Cyprus problem. Speaking after a meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, Mr Poos said that he had positive comments to make on the current situation on the island, noting, "What happens now is something we have asked for and hoped for and worked for since long decades. If a wall falls, if people can travel freely from one side to another, is an enjoyable moment in the history of a divided country. People can reunite and show that the political unification must follow soon." He further expressed hope that "the failure of The Hague is only an accident and that the work for a unified Cyprus should be taken up as soon as possible." Asked to say if the situation signaled the beginning of a solution to the Cyprus problem, Mr Poos replied that it was "a good omen that the Cyprus problem will be solved soon and it will be done by the people", adding, "they [people] have to show to their leaders, and I have in mind Mr (Rauf) Denktash that he has to proceed." In another question regarding the measures for Turkish Cypriots that the European Union was planning to announce, Mr Poos said that these involved "free circulation of goods and free movement of people between the dividing line", pointing out that the European Commission would put forward proposals on the latter. With regard to his meeting with President Papadopoulos, the European Parliament Rapporteur said they had discussed the recent situation on the island, the future of the Annan plan, and the Government's policy until the full accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU in 1 May 2004, particularly vis-a-vis obligations flowing from EU membership such as the Schengen Agreement, the Economic and Monetary Union and the ratification process by the member states.

    [03] Boucher: A lot more to be done for reaching a settlement

    The US State Department's Spokesman, Mr Richard Boucher, reiterated his government's positive stance regarding the easing of restrictions on free movement in Cyprus, but stressed that there was a lot more to be done in terms of reaching a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem. Asked to comment on the situation on the island, during the regular briefing of the press yesterday, Mr Boucher repeated that Washington welcomed the fact that people were able to travel back and forth, adding that "it is noteworthy and good for people to be able to have that kind of access and that kind of contact and that kind of opportunity to see each other." At the same time, the US Spokesman emphasised that "there is still an important job to be done in terms of reaching a settlement and we continue to support looking for ways to do that on the basis of the proposals that the Secretary General put forward."

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


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