Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-09-10

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

Tuesday, 10 September 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides receives Maltese President
• [02] Foreign Minister departs for New York to address the UN General Assembly
• [03] Cyprus and Malta to act as bridges between Europe and their respective regions
• [04] US State Department Spokesman on the 6 September meeting in Paris
• [05] General Assembly includes the question of Cyprus on the Agenda of its 57th Session

[01] President Clerides receives Maltese President

After official talks between the two Presidents and their delegations, the two leaders signed two agreements, on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments and on merchant shipping. President Clerides then decorated President de Marco with the Grand Collar of the Order of Cyprus' first President, Archbishop Makarios III.

In his statement after the signing ceremony, President Clerides said that they reviewed all aspects of bilateral relations on the political, economic and cultural levels and exchanged views on the accession course of both Cyprus and Malta as well as on other international issues. He also briefed his Maltese counterpart on the present phase of the direct talks on the Cyprus problem. President Clerides said that it was evident from the talks that there was common understanding on all the matters discussed, that relations between the countries are excellent and that they would be further enhanced after the accession of Cyprus and Malta to the EU.

For his part, President de Marco referred to the two agreements signed and pointed out that they reflect the two sectors in which the two countries wish to enhance their cooperation, namely the sectors of investment and merchant shipping.

Noting that both countries share a common history as far as the past is concerned, he expressed the view that the people of Cyprus and Malta also want to share the history of the future. President de Marco also referred to the two countries' efforts to join the EU and said that now the time is approaching for the final decision on enlargement. The Maltese government will submit the results of the accession talks to the people of Malta, who can decide through a memorandum whether they wish to join the EU, he added.

[02] Foreign Minister departs for New York to address the UN General Assembly

In statements to the press prior to his departure, Mr Kasoulides said that while in New York he will have meetings with US Government officials, with the British envoy for Cyprus Lord David Hannay and other foreign ministers from Europe and elsewhere. He will also meet with his Greek counterpart Mr George Papandreou, with whom he will discuss the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and the island's EU accession course.

Referring to the direct talks on the Cyprus problem Mr Kasoulides pointed out that so far there has been no progress in the talks, but stressed that the Greek Cypriot side will continue to be constructive at the negotiating table. He expressed the belief that the talks will bear fruit only if the Turkish side responds in a similar way. At the same time the United Nations have shown a determination to become more actively involved in the direct talks and render the talks more substantive, Mr Kasoulides said, adding that what is lacking at this stage is the political will of the Turkish side for a constructive dialogue.

Asked whether a solution to the Cyprus problem was possible by February next year, Mr Kasoulides said that although he was not optimistic as things stood at present, he could not foresee what would happen in the following months.

Asked to comment on the Government's reaction to Turkish press reports that the number of colonists in the Turkish occupied areas of the Republic has increased, Mr Kasoulides said that on the more general issue of colonization, Government policy has two fronts: one concerns representations on the part of the Cyprus Government regarding the violation of international law and the other concerns the discussion of this issue within the talks, in the framework of the issue of citizenship, on which the Government's positions are known and clear.

[03] Cyprus and Malta to act as bridges between Europe and their respective regions

Speaking after the meeting Mr Christofias said he was pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with the President of Malta, who is a broad minded man, fully dedicated to peace and security in the Mediterranean and one who advocates justice for Cyprus and its people and the island's accession to the European Union.

In his statement, President de Marco said he felt at home in Cyprus among friendly people, who have known many conquerors but managed to keep their character and identity. Countries should not be separated on the basis of ethnic groups and the rights of ethnic groups have to be respected within a united country, he said.

President de Marco said that there must be great understanding of ethnic differences and ethnic diversities stressing, however, that there should also be full understanding that there is one Cyprus.

Noting that Cyprus and Malta expect the EU in December to invite them to join the Union as full members, he expressed the belief that the two countries, through their presence in the EU as sovereign countries, can achieve additional progress to the problems of Southern Europe.

Both Cyprus and Malta intend to act as bridges between Europe and their respective regions in order to influence procedures within a spirit of peace and understanding, he concluded.

[04] US State Department Spokesman on the 6 September meeting in Paris

"The United States strongly supports the UN Secretary General's Good Offices/ Mission on Cyprus. We endorse the Secretary General's request that the two leaders return to the island with a sense of urgency to work with his Special Advisor to achieve requisite progress before he meets with them again the first week of October in New York."

[05] General Assembly includes the question of Cyprus on the Agenda of its 57th Session

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

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