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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-04-08Cyprus 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 UpdateWednesday, 08/04/98CONTENTS[01] President Clerides sends letter to UN Secretary-GeneralPresident Glafcos Clerides has warned that the Turkish side's attempt to change the basis of the negotiations to settle the Cyprus problem will have consequences not only for Cyprus but for the whole region.In a letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, dated 2 April, President Clerides called on the Security Council to urge the Turkish side to return to the negotiating table. "We feel that the Security Council, which has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of peace and stability, should reconfirm its commitment for a peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of its own resolutions and the high level agreements and, in this framework urge the Turkish side to return to the negotiating process," the President said. President Clerides defended the Cyprus Republic's "right and duty to ensure the security of its people." Referring to a government decision to order the Russian-made S-300 missiles, he said "the defensive intentions of my government have been made clear all along. Cyprus has repeatedly stressed that the system is in no way intended against any country or the Turkish Cypriots." Mr Clerides pointed out that "the undisputed proof of Cyprus' intentions lies in my proposal for the complete demilitarisation of the Republic of Cyprus, made in November 1993, and which addresses the security concerns of both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities." "The proposal, if accepted by Turkey, would remove the reason that necessitated the general effort to improve my country's defence capabilities, " Clerides added. He reiterated that the people of Cyprus looked to a future in a united country, where all its citizens could live and work in peace, dignity, mutual respect and security. President Clerides sent his letter to Kofi Annan in response to a letter sent to the UN chief by the Turkish Permanent Mission to the UN, that included a letter from Denktash, to President Clerides in March. Clerides returned it as unacceptable. [02] Sir David Hannay stresses that without Cyprus solution Turkey cannot get closer to the EUThe British and EU Presidency Special Representative for Cyprus Sir David Hannay said that Turkey cannot block Cyprus' entry to the EU, adding that although efforts are being made to bring the Turkish Cypriots into the Cyprus accession negotiations, this is proving difficult because the Turkish side is very negative.Sir David, who was giving a radio interview from London to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) on 6 April, also stressed that Turkey should not have a veto on Cyprus' membership. One cannot block 82% of Cypriots who are Greek in their attempt to join the EU just because 18% say no, Sir David pointed out. The British Representative also said that a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation is the only viable solution for a re-united Cyprus. Sir David also stressed that the most important thing is trying to ensure that in parallel with the EU accession negotiations, "the UN process, which has started and sputtered for a number of years, but which has within it the only basis on which Cyprus ever could come together again, should be given another shot in the arm and we should move forward". Replying to a question on efforts made to help Turkey meet EU standards, Sir David emphasised that "most of what Turkey has to do, has to be done by Turkey". He said that Turkey must improve its human rights record, improve its relations with Greece and solve the Cyprus problem. Sir David stressed that if there is a solution in Cyprus, this will "remove a really poisoned thorn from this area which is already a rather unstable area without which there would be a lot of difficulty in getting Turkey much closer to the European Union". [03] Italian Deputy Foreign Minister in CyprusItalian Deputy Foreign Minister, Piero Fassino, who is on a two-day visit to Cyprus, had a meeting yesterday with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides. In statements after the meeting, Mr Fassino pointed out that this is his second visit to Cyprus in a few months and this "demonstrates Italy's great attention for Cyprus and its commitment to contribute to efforts towards a solution of the Cyprus problem."The Italian Deputy Minister said that negotiations for European Union membership, that began on 31 March, must continue with all six applicant countries over the same modalities and timing. "In the case of Cyprus we believe that parallel to the accession negotiations efforts must be made to allow for a joint delegation representing the whole of the island," he added. Replying to questions, Mr Fassino said his country has not annulled any decision concerning the purchase of military material by Cyprus. He stressed that Italy's "only concern is to avoid such a supply of missiles to be seen as contributing to a militarisation of the region". He added that "Italy has never decided on an arms embargo for Cyprus." On his part Foreign Minister Kasoulides said he believes that "following the talks and the frank exchange of views it appears that we can hope for a speedy and positive resolution of this problem". [04] New Finnish and Norwegian Ambassadors present credentialsThe new Finnish and Norwegian Ambassadors to Cyprus presented their credentials to President Clerides at formal ceremonies at the presidential palace yesterday.Finnish Ambassador Pasi Patokallio said "Finland looks forward to welcoming Cyprus as one of its partners in an enlarged EU." He also expressed the hope that "accession negotiations with Cyprus will progress well on the basis of December 1997 conclusions of the European Council in Luxembourg". Moreover, the Finnish Ambassador expressed regret for the refusal of Turkish Cypriots to participate in the Cyprus delegation negotiating accession. "We certainly continue to hope that the Turkish Cypriot community will be able to accept that a common future in the EU is preferable to a separate one in relative isolation," he said. The new Norwegian Ambassador to Cyprus, Svein Ole Saether, stressed the excellent bilateral relations between Norway and Cyprus, pointing out that "they have been enhanced over the last years, not at least due to tourism". Mr Saether emphasised the great importance Norway attaches to efforts for a Cyprus settlement "through negotiations and an open active dialogue". He also made note of his country's support to the Business Forum held in Brussels last November between representatives from the two communities of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey. "We will follow up these efforts to facilitate the process and the bi-communal projects initiated by the groups at the Brussels meeting," he said. 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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