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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-05-23
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Friday, 23 May 2003 Simitis: there is no sense of resuming the talks,
unless Turkey changes its position
[02] The 28th Cyprus International Fair opens its gates
[01] Simitis: there is no sense of resuming the talks, unless Turkey
changes its position
The Greek Prime Minister and President of the European Council Mr Costas
Simitis and his British counterpart Mr Tony Blair had a working lunch
yesterday at the British Prime Minister's residence at 10 Downing Street in
London. During the meeting, which took place in the framework of the
forthcoming European Council meeting in Salonica in June, the two Prime
Ministers discussed a variety of issues including the Cyprus problem.
Replying to a question after the meeting, on what the British position on
the possibility of resuming the UN initiative is, Mr Simitis stated the
following: "We discussed Cyprus and we have the same position. There is no
sense of resuming the talks, in the framework of the United Nations, if
Turkey has the same position. There must be a change of position on the
side of Turkey, and then we have to begin talks again because the Annan
plan, the plan of the UN, must not lose its value with discussions that do
not end to a result."
[02] The 28th Cyprus International Fair opens its gates
"It is always with pleasure, satisfaction and pride that officials and
citizens of the Republic of Cyprus visit the Cyprus International Fair
because, year after year, the Fair appears richer and improved, reflecting
in a better way the achievements of our people in the fields of commerce,
industry, cottage industry, services and production in general", the
President of the Republic Mr Tassos Papadopoulos stated yesterday
Addressing the opening of the 28th Cyprus International Fair, President
Papadopoulos noted that the fair is opening its gates at the historic
juncture of the signing of the Accession Treaty of the Republic of Cyprus
to the European Union. "I would like to repeat once again, our firm and
immutable aim to celebrate on May 1st 2004 the official accession of a re-
united Cyprus and the expectation of the Government and the people that a
reunited Cyprus will face the challenges before it and that Greek and
Turkish Cypriots will share in an equitable way and equality before the law
the benefits and opportunities to be accrued by our accession", he
said. Referring to the Cyprus problem, the President declared the readiness
and willingness of the overwhelming majority of the Greek Cypriot side for
direct and substantive negotiations on the basis of the Annan plan to find
a solution in accordance with the relevant decisions and the United Nations
framework. He stressed that the Annan plan is still on the table as are the
improvements that the Greek Cypriot side had suggested in the document that
was submitted to the UN Secretary General and the amendments that have
become necessary following the signing of the Accession Treaty .
"These amendments have been proved feasible following the partial lifting
of the restrictions which were imposed since the Turkish invasion in 1974
and the continuing occupation" he said, adding that the Greek Cypriot side
has not put forward any other condition or prerequisite for negotiations,
after the Hague meeting. President Papadopoulos assured that these basic
policy positions are well known, understood and appreciated by all parties
involved in the efforts for a solution of the Cyprus problem.
"The lifting of the restrictions which the occupation regime itself had put
in place does not constitute a solution of the Cyprus problem, neither do
any other steps which the occupation regime and Turkey are obliged to take
and may take in order to comply with international law and their international
obligations," he said. The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Mr
Yiorgos Lillikas, who also addressed the Fair, said that apart from its
contribution to economic development, the institution of the Cyprus
International Fair, constitutes the place, which over time, has projected
the progress and the level of growth of the Cyprus economy.
"The International Fair, as the biggest economic event in the Cyprus, is
ideal for immediate communication with the business world, as well as with
the representatives of all the productive classes, in general. It is the
natural venue for outlining the strategic directions of the Government for
its development policy and its social index", he said. Cyprus' accession to
the great European family marks the beginning of a new perspective for the
island and its people and sets the conditions for a better, more humane,
safer and creative future, he said, adding that harmonisation with the
Acquis Communautaire should be seen as a challenge for modernization. Mr
Lillikas underlined that the Government's new Strategic Development Plan
for the period 2004-2006, aims at the social and economic modernisation of
the country through constant progress. He said that the Government's
development priorities for achieving its strategic aims are expanding and
upgrading infrastructure, enhancing competitiveness, developing human
resources, promoting equal opportunities, strengthening social coherence,
creating a balanced development, protecting the environment and upgrading
the quality of life.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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