Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-11-30

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

Thursday, 30 November 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] Statement by Foreign Minister
• [02] Cyprus and Greece sign cooperation program

[01] Statement by Foreign Minister

Speaking to journalists on arrival at Larnaca airport, Mr Kasoulides said he had the opportunity to meet his counterparts of the countries attending the Conferences and brief them on the Cyprus problem. The discussions focused on the developments of the peace talks in view of the Turkish Cypriot leader's statement that he would not attend the sixth round of the proximity talks.

Mr Kasoulides said the Greek Cypriot side has expressed its readiness to attend the proximity talks next January in good will, but its final decision will be taken after the Secretary-General's report on the UN Peace Keeping Force's Operation in Cyprus and the Security Council resolution on the renewal of the Force's mandate.

Asked if the Government is making efforts so that in the UN resolution there will be a paragraph on the violation by the Turkish side of the status quo at Strovilia, Mr Kasoulides replied in the affirmative.

Commenting on the Turkish Foreign Minister Mr Cem's references to "two states" and "two peoples" Mr Kasoulides recalled that the Presidents of Parliaments who attended the 10th Meeting of the Presidents of the Parliaments of the countries participating in the Enlargement Process recently, as well as the Rapporteur on Cyprus' EU Accession, stated clearly that if Turkey wishes to accede to the EU, it must work towards a solution of the Cyprus problem. Mr Kasoulides also said that, in his view, Turkey has to make a choice between Europe and the non-solution of the Cyprus problem.

"If Turkey insists that the current situation should continue because of Mr Denktash's perception of two states, two peoples and confederation, then Turkey must weigh the consequences it will have to face in its accession course to the EU. And there will be consequences on Turkey," he concluded.

[02] Cyprus and Greece sign cooperation program

The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance Mr Theodoros Ioannou and the General Secretary of Welfare of the Greek Ministry of Health and Welfare Mrs Maria Beldekou signed the program yesterday on behalf of Cyprus and Greece.

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

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