Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-04-17

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

Thursday, 17/04/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Everything is on the table in talks
• [02] UN has presented two new documents, Spokesman reveals
• [03] Improved Greco-Turkish ties will contribute to Cyprus peace effort
• [04] UN envoy leaves Cyprus

[01] Everything is on the table in talks

"Everything is on the negotiating table, but that does not mean that discussions will be conducted on the basis of the 1992 UN Set of Ideas," he said.

Speaking after a meeting with UN envoy Gustave Feissel in the framework of proximity talks on the Cyprus problem between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides, President Clerides said there might be some useful elements within the Set of Ideas, which were drawn up by the former UN Secretary-general in the search for an overall settlement, but noted "there are elements in these ideas which we have not accepted."

Mr Feissel also said that "all the elements for a settlement are on the table," including the High Level Agreements, the Set of Ideas, UN resolutions and "various things that have been discussed between the two leaders."

President Clerides added, however, that no common ground had been found so far during the proximity talks on substantive issues like security, territorial adjustments and displaced persons, adding that it was too early to determine whether there they were any closer to direct negotiations.

[02] UN has presented two new documents, Spokesman reveals

"One of them relates to good will gestures, and the other to the positions on certain basic aspects of the Cyprus problem," Christofides said.

He described the documents as a kind of "summary of what has been examined during the proximity talks."

The spokesman also said the National Council would meet next week to discuss developments.

[03] Improved Greco-Turkish ties will contribute to Cyprus peace effort

The meeting, attended by the President of the European Union Council, Dutch Minister Hans van Mierlo, was hailed as a breakthrough in the two countries' dispute over the Aegean islet of Imia and is believed will lead to further progress in the near future as well as contribute to efforts to settle the Cyprus problem.

"There is no doubt that any improvement in relations between Greece and Turkey will reflect on the atmosphere in which we will handle the negotiations for a solution of the Cyprus problem", Mr Cassoulides said, and expressed the hope that similar progress can be achieved soon with regard to Cyprus.

"Obviously, any progress in the Cyprus question will help a great deal problems which have been around for years between Greece and Turkey relating to the Aegean," Cassoulides said.

However, he did not think that the Cyprus peace effort would take second place among Greece's priority list of problems, and expressed the belief "that the Cyprus problem remains the top national issue for Greece".

Replying to a comment that there are attempts to connect Cyprus' application to join the European Union to those of Central and Eastern European countries, Cassoulides said this does not bother Cyprus.

"We hope that we will be able, to fulfil what has always been described as a necessity, that EU enlargement takes place not only in Central and Eastern Europe or towards the north but towards the south and the Mediterranean, where Cyprus is", the Minister pointed out.

He described Cyprus' participation in the Malta Conference as important, because it provided an opportunity to prove repeated declarations concerning the island's ambition to become a bridge between Europe and the Middle East when it joins the EU.

[04] UN envoy leaves Cyprus

Before leaving the island the UN diplomat, who has resigned from his post of the UN Special Representative for Cyprus, said: "I feel privileged to have been associated with Cyprus". He described his work here as "difficult" but "challenging".

He added: "I see there is a good possibility of direct talks between leaders of the two communities and I hope they will come to good results."

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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