Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-04-07

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

News Update

Tuesday, 07/04/98

CONTENTS

• [01] Government stresses importance of international community involvement in Cyprus peace process
• [02] US will continue intensive work in Cyprus effort
• [03] British Premier: Cyprus-EU accession process will promote prospects for settlement
• [04] German and Finnish Parliamentary delegations visit Cyprus
• [05] Easter pilgrimage to Apostolos Andreas monastery cancelled

[01] Government stresses importance of international community involvement in Cyprus peace process

"The US undoubtedly plays an important role in the international political scene and we are seeking American involvement to break the deadlock and bow Turkish intransigence," the Spokesman added.

Mr Stylianides said that the government is also seeking the involvement of the other Security Council members, in particular Russian and EU engagement.

Replying to questions in his daily briefing, Stylianides said "the Eastern Mediterranean region is very important for the US as well as for the international interests and we hope that American involvement will continue in the Cyprus problem until a just, viable and workable solution is reached."

[02] US will continue intensive work in Cyprus effort

Asked to comment on the presidential emissary's visit to Cyprus, Mr Foley said that "virtually all of the important issues were discussed" and as a result both leaders asked Ambassador Holbrooke to return in one month to continue discussions. This will be done in early May, the spokesman said.

He added: "In the meantime, we will continue working intensively, and we expect Ambassador Miller will return to the region later this month. These meetings are part of a long and difficult process that will continue in the coming weeks".

Mr Foley pointed out that US efforts are fully consistent with the UN process. "I think you saw Ambassador Holbrooke's remarks. He noted that he had called Secretary General Annan to give him a briefing on the course of his discussions", Mr Foley added.

[03] British Premier: Cyprus-EU accession process will promote prospects for settlement

The British Prime Minister expresses the above in a letter dated 25 March to Conservative MP Sir Sidney Chapman. Mr Blair was replying to a letter sent earlier by three conservative MPs (Sir Sidney Chapman, David Amess and Nick Hawkins).

The British Premier also refers to his meeting with President Clerides on the eve of the European Conference. "I made clear to him that settlement of the Cyprus problem was not a precondition for EU accession. But at the same time it was very clear to us, and to EU partners, that the accession process would be facilitated by progress towards a settlement", Mr Blair says.

The British Premier adds in his letter: "President Clerides agreed with me on the desirability of offering the Turkish Cypriot community participation in the accession negotiations, and has made what seemed to us a reasonable offer, which we conveyed to Mr Denktash on 13 March." Mr Blair adds that if Mr Denktash "is unwilling to participate at the start, we will continue to encourage both sides to come to a suitable arrangement as the accession negotiations progress".

[04] German and Finnish Parliamentary delegations visit Cyprus

After a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, the head of the German parliamentary delegation, Eckart Kuhlwein, expressed the hope that the island's EU accession talks would be a catalyst towards a settlement of the Cyprus problem. He added that "there are no reservations on behalf of our side" regarding Cyprus' accession course.

Mr Kuhlwein said that in the EU "there are different views concerning Cyprus' membership," as to whether there should be a Cyprus solution prior to the island's accession. He said a solution should be found during accession talks and then evaluate the situation.

The German delegation, which consists of MPs Eckart Kuhlwein, Manfred Such, Olaf Feldmann and Rainer Jork, also met yesterday with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

A three-member Finnish delegation of the Finland-Cyprus Friendship Group, had separate meetings yesterday with the President of the House of Representatives Spyros Kyprianou, the President of the House Defence Committee, Takis Hadjidemetriou and the President of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and chairman of the Cyprus-Finland Friendship Group, Tassos Papadopoulos.

Chairman of the Finland-Cyprus Friendship Group Jaakko Laakso heads the delegation that also consists of Sinikka Hurskainen and Raimo Tillikainen.

[05] Easter pilgrimage to Apostolos Andreas monastery cancelled

The government has made repeated representations to the UN and others who could help lift these measures for at least the relatives of enclaved Greek Cypriots and those who would have participated in the Easter pilgrimage.

"Unfortunately, so far the response was negative and because of this, the pilgrimage is postponed," the statement from the office of the Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs said.

The cancellation will not, however, affect a parallel pilgrimage by Turkish Cypriots to the free areas this Thursday when more than 1,000 Turkish Cypriots are expected to travel to the Tekke mosque in Larnaca for a Muslim festival.

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

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