Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-10-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Spokesman - Shuttle talks

[02] Spokesman - EU - Greece - Turkey

[03] Hercus - Interview

[04] Kasoulides - Mubarak

1505:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Spokesman - Shuttle talks

Refraining from disclosing anything related to the substance of Hercus' two meetings with President Glafcos Clerides, Stylianides confined himself to saying that the process was still at the "shuttle talks" level, within the framework of the UN Secretary - General's mission of good offices.

Hercus met earlier today President Clerides and will tomorrow meet for the second time Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash.

A third meeting with President Clerides will take place next Friday.

CNA MM/MCH/EC/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1545:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Spokesman - EU - Greece - Turkey

The government also considers that yesterday's attempt to circumvent the Greek veto on EU funding to Turkey was not related to Cyprus' accession course.

The Commission proposed on Wednesday to give Turkey 15 million ECU to put into effect a customs union agreement the European Union has with Turkey and provide an extra 135 m. ECU to promote economic and social development in Turkey.

"Greece has already outlined its initial response to yesterday's move. This is within the framework of EU institutions and we shall have to wait for the outcome in this issue," Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said here today.

Acknowledging that Greece stood alone in its stance at the Commission meeting in Strasbourg, he said "it is clear that Greece is in the right in this effort."

He also pointed out that the Commission's decision to circumvent the Greek veto was not related to Cyprus' course of accession to the European Union.

The Greek Foreign Ministry said yesterday it would appeal to the Court of Justice of the European Communities in Luxembourg and refer the EU Commission to the Court.

Responding to a relevant question, Stylianides said there had been no attempts to link this development with Cyprus' accession course.

He pointed out, however, that Greece's stance on the issue was linked to the European Council decision in Luxembourg, last December.

According to the Luxembourg conclusions, strengthening of Turkey's links with the EU depends among other things on the "establishment of satisfactory and stable relations between Greece and Turkey... and support for negotiations under the aegis of the UN on a political settlement in Cyprus on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions".

CNA MM/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1830:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Hercus - Interview

In her first interview here, Dame Ann also said, talking to Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, that she did not believe UN Security Council principles were unrealistic and pledged to work for their implementation.

Replying to questions, Dame Ann stressed the gospel she abides by "is called the gospel of the Security Council and its resolutions and the principles that lie behind those resolutions. Of course this is my gospel", she stressed.

Asked whether the provisions of this gospel may be unrealistic, the UN official replied she did not believe "the principles are unrealistic".

"I believe in translating principles into life and making them work if I possibly can. If I fail it will not be for the want of trying", she added.

Dame Ann stressed, however, that "in the end the solution lies in agreement between the parties. The UN can make every effort but they cannot actually agree for the leaders and the people", she said.

"The final decision about what we agree on and when must lie always, anywhere in the world, with the leaders and the people. We are only a conduit pipe that tries to help", the UN Resident Representative remarked.

Concluding, the UN Resident Representative said she believed - pointing out that this was what the UN Secretary General also told her - that the fact she was not connected with the Cyprus problem, was one of the reasons she was appointed to the post.

Dame Ann said she was chosen "to bring those fresh eyes and fresh ears the UN Secretary General wanted".

CNA MCH/RG/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1905:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Kasoulides - Mubarak

The message refers to the Cyprus problem, bilateral relations and developments in the Middle East, as well as the crisis between Turkey and Syria.

Kasoulides, who is on an three-day official visit to Egypt, expressed the appreciation of President Clerides', the Government and the people of Cyprus towards Mubarak, for the support of Egypt towards a just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem.

Present at Kasoulides' meeting with Mubarak where Egyptian Foreign Minister, Amr Mousa, Cyprus Ambassador to Cairo, Charalambos Kapsos, and Director of the Cyprus Ministry, Minas Hadjimichael.

Yesterday, Kasoulides met with Mousa and discussed the Cyprus problem, with emphasis on Turkish intransigence and unacceptable conditions to resume talks, as well as Cyprus' European Union course and the Cypro- Egyptian bilateral relations and ways to develop them.

They also discussed the Middle East peace process, cooperation between Turkey and Israel, and the Egyptian involvement in defusing the tension in Turkish-Syrian relations.

The talks also covered cooperation of Cyprus and Egypt in the context of the Barcelona process and the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, as well as efforts to combat terrorism.

After the talks, both Ministers signed an Agreement to Promote and Jointly Protect Investments, in the framework of the mutual wish to develop cooperation of Cyprus and Egypt in the economic sector.

The Chairmen of the Boards of the respective Stock Exchanges also signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

Kasoulides also visited the Arab Association and discussed the Cyprus problem, the Palestinian issue, the Middle East peace process, military cooperation between Israel and Turkey, and the crisis between Turkey and Syria.

According to press reports, the Secretary-General of the Arab Association, Esmat Abdel Megint, expressed the support of the Association towards the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus, stressing the need for a peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem

Kasoulides returns to Cyprus tonight.

CNA RG/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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