Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-07-25

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

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[01] Simitis warns against blocking Cyprus-EU accession

0930:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Simitis warns against blocking Cyprus-EU accession

In an interview with the "Financial Times" yesterday Simitis pointed out that if Cyprus' membership to the EU was blocked, "Greece will use all measures offered in the framework of the EU to achieve what it considers to be right."

Stressing that Cyprus-EU accession talks should continue "in parallel" with efforts to reach a settlement of the protracted Cyprus problem, Simitis noted that the lengthy accession procedure would allow considerable time to work out a political settlement in Cyprus.

The Greek Premier also warned that if Cyprus is excluded from the next EU enlargement Greece might resort to blocking the entry of Eastern European applicants to the EU.

Ankara has threatened to integrate the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island into Turkey if the EU starts membership talks with Cyprus. The EU has repeatedly said it would start accession talks with Cyprus next year.

Meanwhile, a second round of UN-led direct negotiations between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in an effort to resolve the Cyprus question is scheduled to take place in Switzerland, August 11-16.

The first round of talks took place in Troutbeck, New York, earlier this month and was reported to have taken place in a "good climate".

CNA MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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