Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-04-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Clerides - British official

[02] President Clerides - Czech Deputy PM

[03] Kyprianou - Czech Deputy PM

1115:CYPPRESS:01

[01] President Clerides - British official

In a brief statement after the working breakfast, Quin described her talks as "good" and referred journalists to her press conference later today.

Quin, who is accompanied by Britain's envoy for Cyprus Sir David Hannay, is due to see UN resident representative in Cyprus Dame Ann Hercus and hold talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Yesterday, she had lengthy talks with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

She leaves the island this evening.

CNA MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1120:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President Clerides - Czech Deputy PM

He noted that Cyprus is well ahead of his own country in the harmonisation process in terms of aligning its legislation with that of the EU and backed the reunification of Cyprus, divided since Turkish troops invaded in 1974.

Speaking after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, Lansky expressed hope that his visit can "contribute to the already excellent bilateral relations and help each other on our way to accession to EU."

"I really and truly hope one day you will experience the division on this island to have ceased and my country has always supported an undivided Republic of Cyprus," Lansky said.

Asked to clarify how Cyprus and the Czech Republic can benefit from each other, he acknowledged the "enormous task" for all candidate countries and added "little by little we are doing the same things."

"We can support one another by sharing the experience, sharing work we have done on one issue and your country has done on another," he remarked.

As far as the harmonisation effort is concerned, Lansky said "Cyprus is much better off because your legislation is based on British law which is fully compatible with the EU."

The Czech Republic, he added, has been under communist rule for almost 50 years and "we approach the EU from a completely different state of legislation."

"Our task is much bigger, there is a lot for us to take care than those who have better experience," he concluded.

Lansky, who was accompanied by his country's ambassador to Cyprus, Vera Jerabkova, will have talks later today with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

CNA MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1305:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Kyprianou - Czech Deputy PM

Speaking after a meeting with House President Spyros Kyprianou, Lansky said they discussed bilateral relations, the common interest of Cyprus and Czech Republic to join the European Union and the situation in Yugoslavia.

Referring to the situation in Yugoslavia, Lansky expressed the hope that "there is time to stand up, try to stop the killing, come back to the (negotiating) table and start working again, for a solution".

Earlier today, the Czech official met with Lellos Demetriades, Mayor of Nicosia, the world's last divided capital, and visited the cease-fire line in the old city.

Lansky expressed the hope "one day to go to Kyrenia and see a united Cyprus again".

Kyrenia is situated on the island's northern coast. Cyprus' northern third is occupied by Turkish troops since their 1974 invasion, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

House President Spyros Kyprianou said the Czech Republic "supports our position in the Cyprus problem".

Concerning the crisis in Yugoslavia, Kyprianou said "we both noted that the problem could not be solved through the use of force but through a peaceful process".

He added that the time has come for everybody to understand that this question could not last for ever.

CNA FZ/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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