Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-06-20

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] G8 - Cyprus - Turkey

[02] G8 - Cyprus - Final text

[03] Cyprus deputies - PACE

[04] Defence Minister - Athens

1115:CYPPRESS:01

[01] G8 - Cyprus - Turkey

Cologne, Jun 20 (CNA) -- The German presidency of the group of G8 confirmed yesterday that the Cyprus issue and Turkey were discussed by the leaders of the seven most industrialised nations plus Russia.

The discussion took place during a working lunch of the heads of state and government, hosted at the Romisch - Germanisches Museum.

Speaking at a press conference Dr. Klaus Gretschmann, high ranking advisor to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, said "the Cyprus issue and the issue of Turkey were discussed by the heads of state and government at yesterday's working lunch".

He said as far as the final text of the G8 communique is concerned, relating to Cyprus and Turkey, one must wait until tomorrow.

The German official also said that there will be a reference to Cyprus and Turkey in the final declaration.

Professor Klaus Gretschmann has been appointed the "German Sherpa", a word used in G8 jargon to indicate high-ranking collaborators of the G8 leaders. He is Director General for Economic and Financial Policy in the Federal Chancellery.

Last night G8 leaders, accompanied by their spouses, attended a concert at the Philarmonic Hall.

Today, last day of the three day summit, leaders will have their third working session in the morning. Russian President Boris Yeltsin arrived in Cologne earlier today to attend deliberations.

The summit is expected to end at around noon. CNA/MM/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1410:CYPPRESS:02

[02] G8 - Cyprus - Final text

Cologne, Jun 20 (CNA) -- The leaders of the seven most industrialised nations plus Russia (G8) have called on the UN to invite both sides in Cyprus to talks this autumn, noting that such negotiations should take full consideration of relevant UN resolutions and treaties on Cyprus.

It also invites the two leaders to commit themselves to negotiate without preconditions on all issues and to commit themselves to continue to negotiate until a settlement is reached.

In their Statement on Regional Issues at the end of their three-day summit, the G8 note that "the Cyprus problem has gone unresolved for too long" and that "resolution of this problem would not only benefit all the people of Cyprus, but would also have a positive impact on peace and stability in the region".

It said "both parties to the dispute have legitimate concerns that can and must be addressed", adding that "the members of the G8 are convinced that only comprehensive negotiations covering all relevant issues can do this".

"The members of the G8, therefore, urge the UN Secretary-General in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions to invite the leaders of the two parties to negotiations in the fall of 1999".

The G8 call upon "the two leaders to give their full support to such a comprehensive negotiation, under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General".

They note that "in accepting this invitation, the two parties/leaders should commit themselves to the following principles: No preconditions; all issues on the table; commitment in good faith to continue to negotiate until a settlement is reached; full consideration of relevant resolutions and treaties".

Finally, the members of the G8 "undertake to give their full and sustained backing to the negotiating process and hope that it will prove possible for its outcome to be reported to the meetings of Heads of State and Government at the OSCE Summit this November".

CNA MM/EC/RG/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus deputies - PACE

The session, which will be held between 21-25 June, will elect on Tuesday, 22 June, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe.

The candidates for the position are Terry Davis (UK), Walter Schwimmer (Austria) and Hanna Suchocka (Poland).

Deputies will examine the crisis in Kosovo, equal representation in political life, and the protection of the human rights and dignity of the terminally-ill and the dying.

The deliberations will be addressed by Helle Degn, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Miguel Angel Martinez, President of the Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The Cypriot delegation consists of deputies Doros Christodoulides, Stathis Kittis and Takis Hadjidemetriou.

CNA EC/RG/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1455:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Defence Minister - Athens

Chrysostomis, who returned from Paris yesterday after visiting the "Le Bourget" military exhibition, will be accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Defence Ministry, Petros Kareklas and National Guard Commander, Lieutenant General Demetrios Demou.

In Athens, the Cypriot minister will hold talks with his Greek counterpart, Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

CNA EC/RG/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article