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Friday, 22 November 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-02-20Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>News UpdateThursday, 20/02/97CONTENTS
[01] Hans van den Broek on Cyprus' EU accesionSpeaking to the European Union's External Affairs Committee on the Union's enlargement, Hans van den Broek, Commissioner for External Affairs said that Cyprus is the only candidate among the eleven countries who have applications to join the EU, for which an avis has been issued and a definite time frame for accession negotiations has been decided.Replying to questions by Euro MPs, Commissioner van den Broek further explained that he will be visiting Cyprus next week and that he will talk also to the Turkish Cypriot side on the benefits, if united Cyprus finally joins the EU instead of a divided Cyprus. I know there are some fears in the north of Cyprus, Mr van den Broek said, which we will try to avert by having some transitional periods during which relations between the south and the north will be regulated in a special way. He added there are many practical possibilities for dissolving fears among the Turkish Cypriots and for seeking their co-operation. This is an alternative, he said. He also added that, to be quite honest, his feeling was that substantive political negotiations must start under UN auspices, based on the UN resolutions, the talks must be supported by the EU which wants Cyprus among its members, and the US, who, we hope, will pull their weight to persuade their ally, Turkey. And this must be done this year, he stressed. On another question he said he raised the issues of Cyprus, human rights, the Aegean and the need for Turkey's co-operation with the Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Onus Oinen on his recent visit to Brussels. On Cyprus accession talks he said they will begin next year and hopefully they will be completed successfully. "I hope", he added, "and I have talked with Mrs Albright, that negotiations for ending the division of Cyprus, face to face negotiations, can begin before the middle of this year. This will depend on the UN Secretary- General's initiative, for which he will have the support and encouragement of the European Union and the United States. The accession talks with Cyprus will begin according to the agreed time frame". [02] EU accession talks will be conducted with Cyprus Government only, Foreign Minister saysCyprus' accession to the European Union is a matter discussed only between the EU and the Cyprus government, Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides stressed on Wednesday 19.2.97.Michaelides was responding to a statement by EU External Relations Commissioner Hans Van den Broek, who was quoted as saying that he would take up the issue of accession with the leaderss of both communities on the island when he visits between 26-28 February. "The EU Commissioner will come to Cyprus for talks on EU matters with the Republic of Cyprus", the Foreign Minister said, noting that "the course of Cyprus' accession process is only discussed with the Cyprus government". Michaelides pointed out that meeting with Turkish Cypriots will serve to inform them of the benefits of EU accession. Press reports said Van den Broek had told Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Onus Oinen last week that he would discuss preparations for Cyprus's accession with the leaders of both communities. [03] 1997 State Budget approvedFollowing a 3-day debate in the House of Representatives the Government's budget was approved by the House majority with only token cuts effected in the process. Co-governing, Democratic Rally Party and Democratic Party, along with opposition parties Akel and United Democrats, voted for the budget bills. Socialist Edek voted against, with the exception of the budgetary provisions for refugees and funds earmarked for defence spending. In all, the House cut about ¢3.2 million out of a budgetary total of ¢1,692 million, a reduction of less than a fifth of one per cent.As approved, the budgetary package provides for total expenditures of approximtely ¢1,689 million and revenues of ¢1,109. 'he resulting budget deficit is about ¢580 million. Last year's provisionally-estimated deficit is set at ¢521 million. While the funds sliced off were not significant, most of them were the end- result of amendments tabled by communist Akel. Among the provisions cut, the largest included ¢1 million for the planned Nicosia government offices; Since the events of 1974 the annual budgetary package comprises three components: the ordinary, or principal budget; the fund for development projects; and the fund for refugee needs. The overall budget deficit for this year is expected to be 388,8 million pounds, compared with 341,7 million predicted in 1996. The public debt as defined by the Maastricht Treaty, is expected to represent 52,2 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product, compared with 54 per cent in 1996. [04] Russia denies rumours on missile dealA Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman said that in view of rumours recently energing, mostly from outside, Cyprus about the delivery of Russian-made S- 300 anti-aircraft missiles, they will be delivered to Cyprus within the agreed time limit.The Russian Foreign Ministry statement added it does not consider correct efforts made to use this economic deal as a pretext for the lack of progress towards a solution to one of the world's oldest international problems, the Cyprus issue. The statement stressed that Moscow's active involvement in efforts to break the deadlock in the Cyprus problem continues, adding that this is proved by meetings the Russian Foreign Ministry envoys have had in Nicosia, Athens and Ankara as well as with the European Union in Brussels. It added that the Cyprus problem will be discussed during meetings scheduled between Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov and his US and British counterparts, Madeleine Albright and Malcolm Rifkind. [05] US Congressmen against the sale of Seahawk helicopters to TurkeyIn a letter to us President Bill Clinton, Democrat and Republican members of Congress, including the Chairman of the House International Relations Committe Ben Gilman, have expressed their concern over the sale of four SH- 60 Seahawk naval helicopters to Turkey and urged the President not to give his approval.Their letter noted that "in recent weeks Turkey has publicly threatened war against Cyprus despite US warnings" and that over the last year it "has taken many provocative actions against Greece and Cyprus". The Congress- members point out that "such a sale would send the wrong American message about Turkish agression". It added that the State Department should object to the sale for the same reason it objected to the Russian anti-aircraft missile sale to Cyprus in January. The Congressmen also cited Norway and Portugal's example of refusing to sell arms to Turkey. [06] IN BRIEFPresident Glafkos Clerides flies to Athens today, (20.1.97), to give a speech entitled "1977-The Year of Cyprus", at a debate organised by the group "Citizens' intiative for the National issues and Social Progress". Politicians, foreign diplomats and correspondents will attend the event, which will also be addressed by Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and Greek Defence Minister Akis Tsohantzopoulos.Poland supports the efforts for a Cyprus solution based on UN Security Council resolutions, the unification of Cyprus and its accession to the European Union. This was stated by Polish President A. Kwasniewski, who received the new Cypriot Ambassador Theophilos Theophilou. Fifty delegates from twelve member states of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank will hold a meeting in Cyprus, February 22-24, to discuss current economic issues, capital flow and the changing role of the state. The meeting will be chaired by Dutch Finance Minister and President of EU'S ECOFIN Mr. Gerrit Zalm and M. Win Duisemberg, of the Bank of Holland. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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