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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-06-04
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Wednesday, 04 June 2003 Commission proposes measures to bring northern
part of Cyprus closer to EU
[02] UN Chief assures that he has not given up on Cyprus
[01] Commission proposes measures to bring northern part of Cyprus closer
to EU
In order to promote a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem the
European Commission, at the initiative of Enlargement Commissioner Mr
Gunter Verheugen, proposed yesterday a package of measures which aims at
promoting economic development of the northern part of Cyprus and bringing
it closer to the European Union. This initiative responds to the request of
the European Council of Copenhagen in December 2002, and consists of a
financial assistance worth €12 million and measures promoting trade between
the northern part of the island and the rest of the Union.
The financial package is divided into two areas: €9 million for economic
development, implemented through the United Nations Development Programme,
and €3 million for actions aiming at bringing the Turkish Cypriot community
closer to the EU. Commenting yesterday on the Commission's decision to
propose the goodwill package for Turkish Cypriots, Mr Verheugen noted,
"There is a window of opportunity for a united Cyprus joining the European
Union by 1 May 2004. The Commission is ready to assist any further effort
to contribute to a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the UN plan,
which remains on the table. Meanwhile, in line with the request of the
European Council, we should do all we can to help the people of the
northern part of Cyprus".
[02] UN Chief assures that he has not given up on Cyprus
"We have not given up on Cyprus", the UN Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan
stressed yesterday, adding that for the peace process to resume he would
have to see a "signal" that both sides had the political will to move
towards a settlement. Replying to a question on Cyprus, upon his encounter
with the press at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr Annan noted, "We have not
given up on Cyprus. Our position on Cyprus is that we will be prepared to
work with the parties the moment they show genuine political will, both
parties show genuine will, political will to make progress and to resolve
the conflict. I think the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots as well
as the motherlands are looking into prospects for pressing ahead with the
process. But I will wait to see that signal that both sides are ready and
there is political will." Furthermore, the UN Secretary-General's
Spokesperson, Mr Fred Eckhard, made the following statement yesterday
regarding Mr Annan's report on UNFICYP (UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus):
"Out of the racks today is the Secretary-General's latest report on the UN
peacekeeping force in Cyprus, which covers the developments on the island
since November of last year. He recommends that the Council extend the
mission's current mandate for a further six months, until 15 December 2003.
In the last week of April, the Turkish Cypriot authorities opened a
crossing point to the public for travel in both directions. This was the
first such opening in almost three decades. Additional crossing points were
opened in the following days. The first week around 140,000 Greek Cypriots
crossed to the north and 34,000 Turkish Cypriots went in the opposite
direction. Since then, the average number of crossings has stabilized to
about 13,000 people per day. The UN force, especially its civilian police
component, has been active in ensuring a safe and orderly crossing of
people and vehicles through the UN buffer zone. UN engineers have also
worked to improve the roads. To face these additional duties, the Secretary-
General says that the mission requires an additional 34 civilian police
officers. There are currently 35 police officers assigned to the force.
In conclusion, he notes that these recent developments are not a substitute
for a comprehensive settlement. "It seems highly unlikely that such a
settlement can be achieved without the genuine political commitment to the
proposal I put forward and a firm timetable to finalize the negotiations",
he says."
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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