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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-12-15
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Monday, 15 December 2003 President Papadopoulos satisfied over Brussels
European Council conclusions on Cyprus and Turkey
[02] EU leaders call for immediate resumption of UN-led peace talks
[03] European Commission issues press release on "elections" in occupied
Cyprus
[01] President Papadopoulos satisfied over Brussels European Council
conclusions on Cyprus and Turkey
The President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, has expressed
satisfaction over the Presidency Conclusions on Cyprus and Turkey of the
European Council, held in Brussels on 12 December 2003. Speaking yesterday
upon his arrival from Brussels, President Papadopoulos said it was
disappointing that no agreement on a draft Constitutional Treaty had been
reached at the Intergovernmental Conference, but pointed out that the
enlarged European Union would continue to function on the basis of the
provisions of the Nice Treaty. Mr Papadopoulos further said he believed
that Cyprus' positions regarding its number of seats at the European
Parliament and the number of Commissioners were gaining ground and would
eventually be agreed upon. The President also noted that the Intergovernmental
Conference would not be terminated but would continue during the Irish
Presidency of the European Union, in the first half of 2004.
It was requested from the forthcoming Irish Presidency of the EU to make an
assessment of the prospect for progress and to report to the European
Council in March 2004. Replying to a question on the Government's
expectations from the forthcoming visit to the island of Mr Thomas Weston,
the US State Department's Special Coordinator for Cyprus, President
Papadopoulos noted that Mr Weston's visit was not a determining factor but
evidence of the continued interest of the US in seeing the UN-led peace
talks resume. He added that nothing could prejudge the outcome of the US
envoy's efforts or the result of the talks, should these resume.
Invited to comment on the arrest of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein,
Mr Papadopoulos noted, "Let's hope that Saddam Hussein's arrest will lead
to the application of democracy in Iraq so that this country and its people
would acquire the position they deserve in the world, through democratic
procedures and the expression of the will of the people without foreign
occupation".
[02] EU leaders call for immediate resumption of UN-led peace talks
The EU Heads of State and Government have reiterated, at the European
Council in Brussels last Friday, their preference for a reunited Cyprus to
join the European Union on 1 May 2004. They also urged all parties
concerned, and the Turkish side in particular, to return to the negotiating
table and resume talks for a solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of
the UN Secretary-General's peace plan. The paragraph on Cyprus of the
Brussels European Council Presidency Conclusions is as follows:
"In line with its relevant conclusions, the European Council reiterates its
preference for a reunited Cyprus to join the Union on 1 May 2004, in order
to allow all Cypriots to enjoy a secure and prosperous future and the
benefits of EU accession. It considers that there is a good prospect of
reaching a just, viable and functional settlement by 1 May 2004, consistent
with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The European Council
therefore again urges all parties concerned, and in particular Turkey and
the Turkish Cypriot leadership, to strongly support the UN Secretary
General's efforts and, in this context, calls for an immediate resumption
of the talks on the basis of his proposals. The Union reiterates its
willingness to accommodate the terms of a settlement in line with the
principles on which the EU is founded. In this context, the European
Council welcomes the Commission's willingness to offer assistance for a
speedy solution within the framework of the acquis. Following a settlement,
the Union is ready to provide financial assistance for the development of
the northern part of Cyprus and the Commission would be called upon to
prepare all necessary steps for lifting the suspension of the acquis, in
accordance with Protocol 10 to the Act of Accession." As regards Turkey,
the European Council said Ankara's "expression of political will to settle
the Cyprus problem" was important and reiterated the position of the EU
that a Cyprus settlement would greatly facilitate Turkey's EU membership
aspirations.
[03] European Commission issues press release on "elections" in occupied
Cyprus
The European Commission has issued the following press release regarding
the Sunday "elections" in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus:
"The "elections" in the northern part of Cyprus reflect the growing desire
of the Turkish Cypriots to find a solution on the basis of the Annan plan
and to allow for the accession of a reunited island to the EU on 1 May
2004. The European Commission hopes that a new administration will be in
place as soon as possible in order for the Turkish Cypriots to grasp the
opportunity to reach a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the Annan
plan. To that end we call upon all parties to reengage in the UN led talks
without delay. The Commission is convinced that securing a comprehensive
settlement on the basis of the Annan plan by 1 May 2004 would be in the
best interest of all Cypriots and of the region. The Commission is ready to
offer assistance for a solution and to prepare all necessary steps for the
application of the acquis to the northern part of the island. We are also
ready to organise an International Donors' Conference in order to mobilise
funds arising from a settlement. Moreover, the EU is willing to accommodate
the terms of a settlement in line with the principles on which the EU is
founded and to provide additional funds to assist the northern part of the
island in the event of a settlement."
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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