Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-09-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Kasoulides on EU - Cyprus, Turkey

1620:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Kasoulides on EU - Cyprus, Turkey

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides appeared satisfied with the outcome of his seven-state tour of European capitals and said on his return from the Greek capital, the last leg of his trip, "I believe the purpose of these visits has been fulfilled, and I would like to stress once again that we have to see our goals in terms of priority and taking into account the time factor."

Outlining his government's objectives, he said "we want accession talks to run smoothly so as to act as the catalyst that would lead Turkey to weigh the pros and cons and finally come to the conclusion that a solution in Cyprus prior to EU accession is to its advantage."

This, he pointed out, "can be linked with Turkey's own aspirations towards Europe" as the contrary would be significantly to its disadvantage.

The first leg of his trip to the three Baltic Republics aimed at "strengthening bilateral ties with other candidate countries for EU accession and seeking ways to help each other in our bid to join the European family," the Minister said.

"I believe our initiative to achieve this was very well received by the governments of the three Baltic states," he added.

Kasoulides said during his trip, which took him to Luxembourg, Bonn and Rome, he outlined the importance of accession negotiations in relation to the UN efforts to solve the protracted Cyprus question.

"It is important that EU member-states understand this significance and how this can act in a positive manner," he said, noting that one cannot preempt future decisions concerning EU enlargement.

The Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction that Turkish attempts to raise obstacles for the start of accession negotiations, due early next year, have not come to fruition.

"I am glad this danger has been eliminated, at least as things stand now," he added.

Kasoulides said the overall objective on this score is to see Cyprus join the Union "with help and advice from Greece."

Replying to questions, he said EU Foreign Ministers have made it abundantly clear that "there is no connection between Cyprus' application for accession and that of Turkey," but acknowledged that there is a kind of "indirect and unavoidable" link.

The Minister said he explained to his European counterparts that President Glafcos Clerides has already extended an invitation to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to "participate in the Cyprus delegation which will negotiate EU accession, once he accepts the principle that Cyprus should join the EU."

Denktash has always maintained that Cyprus cannot join the Union before a settlement and before Turkey joins the EU as well.

Kasoulides said the government has also proposed that Turkish Cypriots be informed about the course of accession negotiations in Nicosia through organised groups, including political parties.

CNA MAN/MM/EC/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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