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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-07-22Cyprus 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, 22/07/98CONTENTS
[01] Kasoulides: Cyprus Government eager to resume UN sponsored talksThe Cyprus Government is willing to participate in bicommunal talks for a negotiated settlement at any time based on UN revolutions, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides stated yesterday.Mr Kasoulides outlined the Cyprus government's positions to Sir David Hannay during a private meeting yesterday. He also stressed that President Clerides' proposal for Turkish Cypriot participation in the EU accession talks still stood and that Cyprus would avoid any actions which would increase tension. Earlier Sir David Hannay had a very "useful and intensive" discussion with President Glafcos Clerides, during which a whole range of issues were discussed relating to the current impasse in the Cyprus problem, security issues and Cyprus' European Union accession course. [02] Sir David Hannay's address to Turkish Cypriots"The tragedy of Cyprus is that no-one is even talking about the substantive issues that must be resolved if a comprehensive solution to the problem is to be found", EU envoy Sir David Hanney stated at a lecture delivered to a Turkish Cypriot audience, in the. occupied areas, yesterday.Stressing the need for the resumption of UN sponsored talks without further delay, Sir David underlined that progress could only be achieved if both sides would seriously work in a spirit of "give and take". Sir David described the European Union's objective for the accession of a bizonal, bicommunal, federal Cyprus to the EU and explained the benefits that the Turkish Cypriot community would have from Cyprus'entry. He reminded that President Clerides' offer for Turkish - Cypriot participation in a joint negotiating team "remains on the table" and added: "We would like to see Turkish Cypriots fully associated with the accession process so that they can have a real say in all the matters under negotiation". He underlined that the Turkish Cypriots themselves have "to decide how best to proceed and how best to further and protect their interest." "The choice is yours," he concluded. [03] Foreign Minister condemns Turkish provocationsForeign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides condemned yesterday the arrival in the occupied areas of Turkish military aircraft, warships and other military forces.He called on objective third party observers to react against Turkey's provocative actions. " I expect to see similar reaction directed towards Turkey to the reaction demonstrated when a few weeks ago military aircraft from the Greek Air Force had landed at the Paphos air base," he stated. Commenting on the illegal visit on Monday of Turkish Premier Mesut Yilmaz and his threats against Cyprus Mr Kasoulides stressed that "nobody should wonder why the Republic of Cyprus has the right to upgrade its own defences." [04] Flynn: Cyprus has all instruments available to fulfil Maastricht criteria"It is my personal assessment that a lot of things are already in place and I have commitments for the outstanding legislative instruments to be undertaken in the short term", EU Commissioner Padraig Flynn stated during a Press Conference yesterday.Mr Flynn pointed out that he was particularly pleased with the progress made in the harmonisation process, that the European plan for social action is well understood in Cyprus, and that all outstanding matters will be catered for before accession takes place. [05] Cyprus will sign Convention on Human Rights and biomedicineThe Council of Ministers has approved at its meeting of 15 July the signing on behalf of Cyprus, of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the application of biology and medicine of the Council of Europe. It also approved the signing of the additional protocol for the prohibition of human cloning.[06] Tourism and Travel StatisticsAccording to the Department of Statistics and Research, in May 1998 arrivals of travellers, including excursionists, reached 289.395 recording an increase of 14,0 per cent compared to the corresponding month last year, while departures reached 262.478 recording an increase 10,7 per cent compared to May 1997.Arrivals of tourists reached 242.833 in May 1998 compared with 179.452 in the previous month. The majority of travellers excluding excursionists came from European Union countries. 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 |