Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-04-30

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

Friday, 30 April 1999

CONTENTS

• [01] Italy supports Cyprus' EU accession course
• [02] France does not intend to delay or complicate Cyprus' EU accession negotiations

[01] Italy supports Cyprus' EU accession course

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Ranieri stated that with the President they had an opportunity to discuss a number of matters and in particular their common concern about the "difficult and dramatic problem" of Kosovo. Italy and Cyprus, he said, agree that a political solution to the Kosovo crisis must be found.

Referring to the Cyprus problem Mr Ranieri expressed the hope that "negotiations will resume in the framework set by the UN for a solution of the intercommunal problem of Cyprus."

The Italian Deputy Foreign Minister said that the Cyprus government's efforts for EU accession were also discussed and reiterated his government's appreciation and support for Cyprus desire to accede to the European Union.

He described the Cyprus government's decision not to deploy the S-300 Russian anti-aircraft missiles as very wise and expressed support for " the start of demilitarisation process for a negotiated solution to the problem."

Mr Ranieri also held talks with his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides after which he expressed the hope that Cyprus' EU accession negotiations and the UN-led peace effort to solve the political problem on the island will yield positive results.

"Cyprus", he said, "has to march along two parallel tracks, on the one hand the accession negotiations and on the other the peace efforts".

"We encourage work and commitment on the part of Cyprus and support Cyprus in the hope that these two parallel tracks can come to positive results," he said, adding that Italy in particular sees the accession of a Mediterranean country to the European Union in a positive way.

[02] France does not intend to delay or complicate Cyprus' EU accession negotiations

In a statement to the press after the meeting Mr. Moscovici said that they had a thorough discussion of the Cyprus problem. He pointed out that "there is a political problem that everyone is aware of and it concerns the accession of the united island to the EU," but explained that this problem should not be confused with the accession negotiations.

On his part the Greek Alternate Foreign Minister referred to the Cyprus problem and said that Mr Moscovici shared the view that the accession of Cyprus to the EU will help the political solution of the Cyprus problem, and that the accession negotiations must proceed independently of the political problem which of course exists and needs to be resolved.

Mr Kranidiotis said he has called on Europe and France in particular to undertake an initiative in co-operation with the United States and the United Nations to help in a diplomatic effort and with a diplomatic solution to the problem but added that the Cyprus accession negotiations will have to proceed unimpeded.

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

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