[02] Cyprus and US sign Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty
The Foreign Ministers of Cyprus and Greece Messrs Ioannis Kassoulides and
George Papandreou expressed yesterday the belief that new prospects for a
settlement of the Cyprus question open up after the Helsinki European Union
Summit.
Speaking in Athens after a meeting with his Greek counterpart, Mr
Kassoulides said that the aim of the meeting was to utilise the positive
developments resulting from the recent EU Helsinki Summit.
The Helsinki decision, Mr Kassoulides stressed, creates a new positive
climate, beneficial both to Greece's and Cyprus/ interests.
On his part, Mr Papandreou said that the more active involvement of the
European Union in Cyprus/ accession course as well as the improved climate
between Greece and Turkey will help to find a solution to the Cyprus
problem. Mr Papandreou added that what we seek now is to make the most of
the new dynamic which has been created.
Cyprus Minister of Justice and Public Order Mr Nicos Koshis and US
Ambassador to Cyprus Mr Donald Bandler signed yesterday a Treaty for Mutual
Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters aimed at strengthening relations
between the two countries/ law enforcement authorities.
Speaking after the signing of the Treaty, Mr Koshis pointed out that "crime
has no borders and it is our duty to ensure that borders do not prevent the
administration of justice".
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
