Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-12-03

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

News Update

Wednesday, 03/12/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Diego Cordovez briefed Security Council on next Cyprus UN moves
• [02] Van den Broek's press conference in Nicosia
• [03] European Union Research Institute inaugurated in Nicosia

[01] Diego Cordovez briefed Security Council on next Cyprus UN moves

Speaking to the press after the briefing, Mr. Cordovez said that in March 1998 he will return to the island, on Mr. Kofi Annan's instructions, "to set in motion the process of negotiation".

He explained that the negotiations are expected to focus on 5 documents: "A document on new constitution, on security, on the territorial issue, a document on the displaced persons and property rights and finally a document on economic and financial cooperation".

Mr. Cordovez, did not say where the actual negotiations would take place but said face-to-face meetings between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities would be necessary after the presidential elections next February.

Mr. Cordovez, a former foreign minister of Ecuador, noted that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash told him he no longer wished talks to continue on an intercommunal basis but as between two separate states, in order to achieve political equality between the two sides.

But he said he told Denktash that the Security Council and the Secretary- General "have been very, very consistent and scrupulous in respecting the political equality of the two. We treat them as community leaders," he said, referring to Denktash and President Glafcos Clerides, in his capacity as leader of the Greek Cypriots. "If they want to change the format, they will have to discuss that between them."

Noting that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots were very concerned about forthcoming negotiations on membership for Cyprus in the European Union - of which Greece but not Turkey is a member - Cordovez said he had relayed this concern to the EU in Brussels.

He said he told the Security Council he wanted to keep away from the controversy over whether negotiations on the future of Cyprus and EU membership were linked.

[02] Van den Broek's press conference in Nicosia

The EU Commissioner pointed out that the two communities of Cyprus will have to work out a formula regarding the participation of both in the EU accession talks with Cyprus.

At the same time he stressed the importance of strengthening EU relations with Turkey.

"We are very much convinced when talking about accession and accession talks that membership of Cyprus should serve both the communities," he told the press conference.

Mr. van den Broek added that part of his talks here focused on how to ensure that both communities are represented in the accession negotiations, expected to begin in spring 1998.

When asked to clarify statements he had made that the legislation of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish-occupied areas will need to become compatible, Mr. van den Broek said one legislation has to be applicable to the whole of the island.

"If it is the wish of both communities to be a member of the EU as a federated Cyprus, then obviously there will be one law that is applicable to the whole of the island," he said.

The EU official said "different legislations de facto apply" in Cyprus today and noted "this is not recommendable".

He was referring to the so-called laws of the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in the areas occupied by Turkey since its 1974 invasion of the island.

Mr. van den Broek pointed out the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities would first have to agree on how their legitimate interests would be protected and then inform the EU.

He said it would be desirable and useful to use the EU negotiations "to create more understanding here and have more talks between the two communities".

"That process of encouraging both communities to discuss with each other what their bargaining position will be vis-a-vis the EU can develop a confidence building which obviously can be conducive to progress in the political talks."

However, he acknowledged that "eventually it will be the political talks which will have to give shape to what the future legal status of this country is."

Replying to questions about his visit, he said he informed his interlocutors what the EU expects from the upcoming summit, to be held December 12 and 13 in Luxembourg.

Mr. van den Broek expressed the hope the Luxembourg summit will adopt the Commission recommendation to open accession negotiations with Cyprus and the five Central and Eastern European countries.

He added "we hope also that a satisfactory and acceptable package can be agreed for Turkey" during the summit and described Turkey as an "important partner" for the EU.

Asked to elaborate on EU relations with Turkey, Van den Broek expressed the hope Ankara will give the EU "a number of positive signals which will encourage a positive language in Luxembourg."

He added that his meeting with people from the two communities gave him the opportunity "to remove a number of misunderstandings, notably with the Turkish Cypriot community regarding what our objectives are with this membership ..."

[03] European Union Research Institute inaugurated in Nicosia

It will provide raw material for researchers, journalists and officials on the EU. It will also provide access to specialised economic and trade cooperation, useful to trade organisations, specialised publications and traders in general and organise training courses in Cyprus.

It was inaugurated by EU Commissioner for External Affairs Hans van den Broek and Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kassoulides. Speaking at the ceremony, the Foreign Minister praised all those who co-operated in the 3- year effort to create the Institute saying this was "an achievement for all those involved, as well as an important step for our country in its effort to become an active member of the European Union, capable of making its own contribution to further European integration".

Mr. Kassoulides said: "The European Institute's mission is a particularly important one. First of all, it will promote the development of high level research on European affairs in Cyprus, with particular emphasis on questions of special interest to us, such as the consequences of accession and harmonisation with the "acquis communautaire".

He added: "I am sure that the Cypriot and foreign researchers employed here will, through the quality of their work, turn the European Institute of Cyprus into a reputable regional research centre. The close links between the EIC and the European University Institute of Florence, a top level institution of its kind, are a further guarantee in that respect."

"The other part of the EIC's mission, which is equally - if not more- important is to train civil servants and company managers in EU matters and, through lectures, seminars, popular publications and an extensive library, to inform the public at large on the main character and basic developments of the European environment, which shall influence our work and our everyday life.

The inauguration takes place at a decisive moment in our country's accession course. Achieving the accession to the European Union, is along with the will to achieve a just and lasting solution of the Cyprus problem, one of the two main objectives of our government's foreign policy. Having proceeded step by step and having convinced for our serious and earnest commitment to both of the above objectives, we are now on the verge of starting accession negotiations", Mr Kasoulides said.

Speaking at the inauguration EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek said the Institute will "have a unique and strategic mission to accomplish in the coming months, to contribute to the preparation of the Cypriot society in view of the accession to the EU."

He also pledged that the European Commission will provide "further assistance through the appointment of an European co-Director who will transfer knowhow on the working of the EU and create links with prominent European institutes."

Addressing former presidents, ministers, ambassadors and businessmen, the EIC Director, Ambassador Angelos Angelides, said with the ceremony today, "we are officially launching the EIC, though a number of things remain to make it fully operational".

He referred to a symbolic planting of two olive trees by Van den Broek and Kassoulides, and expressed the hope that the EIC "will bear fruits that will be equally beneficial".

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

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