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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-06-12Cyprus 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/>Monday, 12 June 2000CONTENTS[01] Cyprus/ accession to the EU will secure freedom and economic prosperityGreek Alternate Foreign Minister Ms Elisabeth Papazoe stated last Friday that the Republic's EU course can act as a catalyst in helping resolve the Cyprus problem.Ms Papazoe, who was speaking at a joint press conference with her Cypriot counterpart Mr. Ioannis Kasoulides said that the talks reaffirmed that Cyprus/ accession course and the resolution of the Cyprus problem are two inextricably linked issues. Ms Papazoe added that she discussed with Mr. Kassoulides ways to maintain Cyprus/ leading position in its European course. Calling on the Turkish Cypriot side to seize the generous opportunity offered by President Clerides for the Turkish Cypriot participation in the accession negotiations, Ms Papazoe recalled that a positive climate opens up with the Republic's accession to the EU that will secure for them their freedom, economic prosperity as well as peace in the broader region. Earlier in the day Ms Papazoe was received by President Clerides, President of the House of Representatives Mr. Spyros Kyprianou and held a number of meetings with political party leaders. [02] Cyprus hopes that the dynamics for a peaceful resolution of the Middle East issue will be continued after President Assad/s deathIn a message of condolences which was sent to Haysam Douehi, Minister to the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, President Clerides notes that "it was with profound grief that we received the sad news of the passing away of the great leader of Syria, President Hafez al-Assad who for many years led the people of Syria with great dedication and wisdom".President Clerides also noted that Cypriots participate in the mourning of the people of Syria over the death of their President. In a statement made yesterday, Government Spokesman Mr. Michalis Papapetrou stated: "The Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the people of Cyprus were deeply saddened to hear about the death of the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Hafez Al-Assad. Hafez Al-Assad/s long-term leadership of Syria put its seal on the friendship and cooperation between the two peoples and governments. Hafez Al-Assad was actively involved in the efforts to resolve the Middle East problem. Although his death seals an entire era, Cyprus hopes that the dynamics for a peaceful resolution of the Middle East issue will be continued by his successors". [03] Denmark expects that Cyprus will soon join the EUThe Danish government supports the forthcoming EU enlargement and expects that Cyprus will soon join the family of European member-states, Denmark's Foreign Minister Mr. Niels Petersen has said.Mr. Petersen, made the above statement after a meeting with a Cypriot Parliamentary Delegation, who paid recently a visit to Denmark, and pointed to the importance of the conclusions of the Helsinki European Council that state that a Cyprus settlement is not a precondition to the country's accession to the EU. The members of the Parliamentary Delegation held also meetings with the European Affairs and Foreign Affairs Committees of the Swedish Parliament. The President of the European Affairs Committee Mr. Soren Lekberg stressed that Cyprus can rely both on the friendly relations and the support of the Swedish government and the Parliament. Moreover, he stressed that Turkey must comply with its obligations in order to join the EU. 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 |