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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 05-10-05Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] Cyprus FM satisfied with result of EU agreement on Turkey0930:CYPPRESS:01Cyprus FM satisfied with result of EU agreement on Turkey Larnaca, Oct 5 (CNA) -- Cyprus Foreign Minister George Iacovou has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of EU deliberations in Luxembourg, which resulted in the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey. Speaking on arrival from Luxembourg, Iacovou said that Cyprus' goal was ''to safeguard everything we had secured in the negotiating framework by September 22,'' and noted that ''Turkey has undertaken commitments on the basis of the negotiating framework.'' He confirmed reports that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had called him last week ''expressing some concerns over the content of the negotiating framework and making some suggestions for changes.'' Iacovou said he was pleasaed with the EU meeting conclusions because ''the Council itself has issued the documents on the basis of which negotiations with Turkey will take place.'' ''This is the document presented Monday night by British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Turkey agreed to it. The core item of this document is the negotiating framework where all paragraphs relating to Cypriot objectives remain unchanged,'' he added. Iacovou said there were other two documents, Straw's opening statement at the formal opening of membership talks with Ankara and the administrative and organizational arrangements to be used during Turkey's negotiations. Responding to questions, he said Cyprus aimed to safeguard all that it had achieved in the negotiating framework by September 22. Commenting on Turkish statements that its position on Cyprus will not shift, Iacovou replied: ''Turkey has undertaken obligations on the basis of the negotiating framework.'' Asked about paragraph 7 of the negotiating framework, Foreign Minister said that some quarters wanted this paragraph to change and ''various efforts were made'' towards this end. The paragraph notes that Turkey has to align its policies towards third countries and its positions within international organisations with EU policies and positions. Ankara has in the past caused problems to Cypriot attempts to participate or join international organisations. ''We had said right from the start that we would not accept any amendments of this paragraph. There were none,'' he pointed out. Commenting Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's statement that there are ''two realities'' in Cyprus, Iacovou said ''Greece and Cyprus have helped Turkey to get where it is now.'' The minister referred to ''Turkish games'' played by Gul, who had refused to leave Istanbul until Turkey's demands were met. ''Turkey either recognizes or will recognize how much Cyprus can do to hamper its course but has not done so,'' Iacovou said. On his telephone conversation with Rice, he said ''I explained to the US Secretary of State it was not not feasible to introduce changes to the negotiating framework and she suggested to issue a statement on the basis of the autonomy of organisations,'' he said. ''I cannot say that pressure was exerted,'' he noted, adding that ''views were discussed but unfortunately we could not agree'' on changes to the negotiating framework. He explained that this position had been communicated to Straw. CNA/FZ/MK/MM/2005 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
[02] US: Turkey in the transatlantic community a positive force1225:CYPPRESS:02US: Turkey in the transatlantic community a positive force Nicosia, Oct 5 (CNA) -- A Turkey rooted in the transatlantic community can be a positive force for Europe as well as for the United States and the transatlantic relationship, US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack has said. McCormack also said that the Secretary of State ''did actually have the opportunity today (yesterday) to speak with the EU ambassadors'' in Washington. ''Ambassador Manning at the UK mission sponsored a meeting -- a previously scheduled meeting with -- between the Secretary and the EU ambassadors, the 25 EU ambassadors here in Washington. And they covered a number of different topics. They talked about putting the European-US relationship to work in furtherance of the goals of the spread of democracy through the Middle East, fighting terrorism,'' he said. He noted that Rice also talked about the EU decision to begin accession talks with Turkey and reiterated the US view ''that we believe that a Turkey firmly anchored in Europe will best serve the interests of the transatlantic family and will be an even more positive force for advancing peace, prosperity and democracy.'' He recalled that the US had long supported Turkey's aspirations to begin discussions with the EU. ''But that said, we don't have a vote in the matter. So these talks can extend out over some period of time but we think it is a positive development that the EU took the decision to begin those talks with the Turkish government,'' he added. Replying to another question, McCormack said ''the pathway that the EU-Turkey talks is going to be for the EU and the Turkish government to determine.'' Asked if any of the 25 EU ambassadors expressed their concern that maybe the Secretary had overstepped the boundary by inserting herself into what was an EU process, McCormack said that ''while expressing our support both rhetorically and diplomatically for Turkey's aspirations, we have been very careful to respect the fact that this is an EU process and to state very clearly that the United States doesn't have a vote in this process.'' Replying to questions, MacCormack said ''both the EU and Turkey working together are going to determine at what pace they are able to proceed. And I think it's probably, to a certain extent, going to be conditions-based on both sides.'' CNA/MK/MM/2005 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
[03] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus
[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange
[05] EP President holds meetings in Cyprus' occupied areas1705:CYPPRESS:05EP President holds meetings in Cyprus' occupied areas Nicosia, Oct 5 (CNA) -- The Cyprus issue, EU pending regulations on Turkish Cypriots and the establishment of a European Parliament contact group with the Turkish Cypriots were the focus of a meeting today between European Parliament President Josep Borrell and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. Borrell also met in the occupied areas with Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Ferdi Sabit Soyer at CTP headquarters, Democratic Party (DP) leader Serdar Denktash at DP headquarters and with civil organisation representatives and Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce President Ali Erel. In statements after the meetings, Borrell said he explained to the Turkish Cypriots the decision of the European Parliament on the establishment of the contract group and that they talked about the possibilities of implementing the regulation regarding aid towards the Turkish Cypriots. He recalled that the European Parliament strongly supported the Cyprus solution plan proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and reiterated the disappointment of the European Parliament that the Greek Cypriot community rejected it. ''We still believe that this plan should be taken into consideration (during future negotiations),'' Borrell said. He noted that he discussed both with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, whom he met yesterday, and Talat the changes that need to be made to the plan. Talat said he reiterated the Turkish Cypriots' commitment for a settlement. ''With the solution we will solve all other minor problems. We will be able to lift the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, obstacles in Turkey's accession process, all kinds of crises and difficulties between Turkish Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and the EU,'' he said. He thanked Borrell for the support the European Parliament has provided to lift what he described as the ''isolation'' of the Turkish Cypriots, for speaking about the regulations on direct trade between the EU and the occupied areas and EU financial support still pending, and for the establishment of the contact group. Talat said the voice and views of the Turkish Cypriots must be heard at the European Parliament, and reiterated his support for the resumption of talks towards a solution. Soyer said after the meeting with Borrell that he has expressed the opinions of the Turkish Cypriots about the reunification of the island and reaching a solution as soon as possible. Denktash said his meeting with the European Parliament President was very useful and that he had the chance to explain to Borrell his concerns and express the hope that both sides will be listened to equally about the Cyprus issue. Erel expressed his pleasure that Borrell had a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot civil society and said that they appreciated the position of the European Parliament regarding the commencement of a possible new round of talks for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem based on the Annan Plan. CNA/OA/MK/MM/NMA/RG/2005 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY [06] Holy Synod decides not to hold elections for new Archbishop1800:CYPPRESS:06Holy Synod decides not to hold elections for new Archbishop Nicosia, Oct 5 (CNA) -- The majority of the Cyprus Orthodox Church's Holy Synod decided today not to hold elections for a new Archbishop. The decision was taken during a four-hour extraordinary meeting. According to a Holy Synod press release, five of its members, namely Paphos Metropolitan Bishop Chrysostomos, Kyrenia Metropolitan Bishop Pavlos, Kition Metropolitan Bishop Chrysostomos, Arsinoe Bishop Georgios and Salamina Bishop Varnavas, voted against the elections. In favour of holding elections were Morphou Metropolitan Bishop Neophytos, Kykkos Bishop Nikiforos and the Trimythous Bishop Vasileios. Limassol Metropolitan Bishop Athanasios requested a unanimous decision. The members of the Holy Synod, who voted in favour of carrying out elections, asked for the implementation of former unanimous decisions to send a letter to the Ecumenical Patriarch so that a Major Synod is held. The primate of the Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos, has been unable for the past three years to perform his duties, following a fall that led to the deterioration of his health. CNA/AAG/NMA/RG/2005 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY [07] Cyprus says Turkey's obligations not up to interpretations1905:CYPPRESS:07Cyprus says Turkey's obligations not up to interpretations Nicosia, Oct 5 (CNA) -- The obligation of Turkey, according to paragraph 7 of the Negotiating Framework, as regards not exercising the right to veto the participation of Cyprus in international organisations, is not up to any interpretations, Cypriot Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said today. Commenting on yesterday's statement by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that ''Turkey's veto in the EU-NATO meetings remains untouched,'' Chrysostomides said that ''this is Mr. Erdogan's interpretation'' and that ''Deniz Baykal, President of the Republican Popular Party, has a different opinion.'' ''Paragraph 7 didn't change and Turkey's obligation not to exercise its right to veto any EU state is there. If Turkey does that, it will be held responsible before the EU and it is possible to have implications on her negotiation process,'' Chrysostomides said. The basic test about what the right interpretation of paragraph 7 is, after the explanatory statement of the British Presidency, Chrysostomides said, will be done on the first occasion Turkey will try to veto the participation of Cyprus in any organisation. But, he continued, the right interpretation is the one the Cyprus government is giving. Asked about the phone call President of the Republic of Cyprus Tassos Papadopoulos received from US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, Chrysostomides said that the US is very much in favour of Turkey's accession to the EU and added that ''the President is not influenced by any calls'' and that ''there is a specific policy the government is following.'' As regards the opinion European Parliament President Josep Borrell had expressed for the necessity of starting negotiations between the two communities at the highest possible level to solve the Cyprus problem, the Spokesman said this is correct. ''This is also the effort through the UN and that was the effort through Mr. Prendergast's visit, who also has made a report,'' Chrysostomides said, adding that ''this is our policy too.'' Commenting on Borrell's statement about the EU regulations for the Turkish Cypriots, Chrysostomides said the government has given its approval for funds to be given to the Turkish Cypriot community, having in mind that there will be no connection of the regulation with that for direct trade between the Turkish occupied areas and the EU. CNA/AAR/NMA/RG/2005 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY [08] Christofias says EP President's visit to Cyprus a landmark2025:CYPPRESS:08Christofias says EP President's visit to Cyprus a landmark Nicosia, Oct 5 (CNA) -- Cypriot House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias considers the official visit of European Parliament (EP) President Josep Borrell to Cyprus to be a landmark in the relations between the EP and the House of Representatives. Presenting here today to the press the work done by the House during the last (4th) ordinary session of the 8th parliamentary period, Christofias said that he will continue informing the EP President about the various aspects of the Cyprus problem, so that he becomes aware of the Cypriot peculiarities and put forward the implementation of the EU and EP decisions on Cyprus. As regards the work done during the previous parliamentary session, Christofias said that the House participated in 102 missions outside Cyprus, including his own trips, while during the same period 25 delegations and members of other parliaments and international organisations visited Cypriot parliament. Christofias stated that the previous session was difficult, as it followed the rejection of the Cyprus settlement plan, proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, by the Greek Cypriot community and that parliamentary missions abroad focused on informing foreign parliaments on the reasons of the rejection of the Annan plan and trying to convince them that the decision of the community should be respected and that it rejected that particular plan and not the solution of the Cyprus problem. That was not an easy job, Christofias said, because the British and Americans created a picture showing that ''the Annan plan was God-given.'' Christofias said the 4th ordinary session was particularly productive and that during that season Parliamentary Committees held 661 meetings and sent to the Plenary for approval or to be voted 233 bills, 28 private bills and 144 regulations. CNA/MF/NMA/RG/2005 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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