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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-11-12
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Wednesday, 12 November 2003 Verheugen reiterates Commission opinion
that "the absence of a Cyprus settlement would create a serious obstacle
for Turkish EU aspirations"
[02] Cyprus and Syria sign amending protocol on security
[01] Verheugen reiterates Commission opinion that "the absence of a Cyprus
settlement would create a serious obstacle for Turkish EU aspirations"
EU Enlargement Commissioner Mr Gunter Verheugen has reiterated the opinion
of the European Commission that the absence of a solution to the Cyprus
problem by 1 May 2004, the date for Cyprus' official accession to the Union,
would create a serious obstacle to Ankara's EU aspirations. He further said
that "it is a matter of fact that it would be an obstacle and it has to be
told to Turkey now". Speaking yesterday at a press conference in Rome
following a meeting of the EU Troika with Turkey, Mr Verheugen noted the
following on Cyprus: "The European Union firmly and strongly supports the
process of the UN for the peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem. We made
it very clear that we want to see a solution of the Cyprus problem before
the 1st of May 2004, before the accession of Cyprus, because it would be
difficult to find a solution after the 1st of May.
I told Turkey that it is in the interest of the Turkish Cypriot community,
in particular, to have the solution before the accession of Cyprus because
nobody should believe that the conditions for a settlement after the
accession of Cyprus would be better for the Turkish Cypriot community. I
also mentioned the coming elections in the northern part of the island,
which we do not recognise of course, but nevertheless they have a certain
political significance, and told Turkey that it is in their interest to use
its influence to make sure that these elections are free and fair. We have
to maintain the positive momentum that we have created and I have explained
the views of the Commission that the absence of a settlement of the Cyprus
problem would create a serious obstacle for Turkish EU aspirations. This is
a firm view of the Commission, we are not creating a condition, we are not
creating a link in the formal political way. We are simply stating a
political fact. It is a matter of fact that it would be an obstacle and it
has to be told to Turkey now, because it would be very unfair to say it at
the end of next year when the final assessment is on the table."
[02] Cyprus and Syria sign amending protocol on security
Cyprus and Syria have signed a Protocol amending the Cooperation Protocol
in the sector of security between the two countries, which was signed on 14
May 1991. The amending Protocol was signed yesterday by the Permanent
Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mr Kyriakos Triantaphyllides and the
Syrian Deputy Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Saker Kher
Bek. The Protocol terminates the practice used so far, which provided for
the issuing of visas at the entry points in both countries, and reinstates
the system of issuing visas at the Consulate Authorities of each country.
The purpose of the amendment is to ensure Cyprus' full compliance with its
EU obligations and to facilitate the movement of citizens of both
countries.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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