|
|
|
Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-11-19
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Wednesday, 19 November 2003 Irish Minister expresses hope for Cyprus
settlement during Irish EU Presidency
[02] Foreign Minister participates in Ministerial meeting of IGC in
Brussels
[03] Greek Foreign Minister stresses need to resolve the Cyprus problem
[01] Irish Minister expresses hope for Cyprus settlement during Irish EU
Presidency
The Irish Minister of State responsible for European Affairs, Mr Dick Roche,
has expressed hope that the Cyprus problem would be resolved during the
Irish Presidency of the European Union, in the first half of 2004 and prior
to Cyprus' accession to the EU on 1 May 2004. Mr Roche was speaking on
Monday after a meeting with a Cyprus parliamentary delegation paying an
official visit to Ireland, headed by the President of the House of
Representatives Mr Demetris Christofias. The Irish Minister said he was
surprised by the recent illegal visit of the Turkish Prime Minister Mr
Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus and underlined
the significance of the EU position that the Cyprus problem constituted a
serious obstacle for Turkey's accession to the EU. On his part, Mr
Christofias reiterated the readiness of the Greek Cypriot side to negotiate
on the basis of the Annan Plan for a just and functional solution of the
Cyprus problem. "Unfortunately", he noted, "no progress has been made
towards that direction due to the intransigent stance of the Turkish
Cypriot leader Mr Denktash, supported by Turkey". Mr Christofias further
said that the Turkish Prime Minister's visit to the occupied areas was
indicative of Ankara's backing of Mr Denktash's position for the creation
of two independent and sovereign states in Cyprus and served as a gesture
of support to the Turkish Cypriot leader in view of the December "elections"
in the occupied areas. "These so-called elections cannot express the will
of the Turkish Cypriots due to the role the great number of Turkish
settlers will play", the House President added.
Both Mr Christofias and Mr Roche referred to prospects for cooperation
between the two countries within the EU framework, since Ireland and Cyprus
share common positions ensuing from the fact that they both are small
European states with common interests. Mr Christofias further said that
Cyprus could be assisted by Ireland's experience as an EU member state and
noted Cyprus' potential to become a bridge between the EU and the Middle
East, due to its excellent relations with the neighbouring countries.
Later yesterday the House President met with the Deputy Director for
Political Affairs at the Irish Foreign Ministry, Mr John Paul Cavanaugh,
with whom he discussed the Cyprus problem and prospects for a settlement.
The Cypriot parliamentary delegation, headed by Mr Christofias, comprises
MPs Mr Demetris Syllouris, Mr Aristophanis Georgiou, Mr Nicos Pittokopitis
and Mr Georgios Varnava, and it is visiting Ireland at the invitation of
the Irish Parliament's Speaker, Dr Rory O' Hanlon.
[02] Foreign Minister participates in Ministerial meeting of IGC in
Brussels
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Georgios Iacovou, participated
yesterday in the fourth Ministerial meeting of the Intergovernmental
Conference (IGC), held in Brussels on the sidelines of the EU General
Affairs Council. During his intervention at the meeting, Mr Iacovou
conveyed the positions of the Cyprus Government on the issue of the
European Foreign Minister, saying that Cyprus was in favour of setting up
this new institution which would have a two-fold role, as a member of both
the European Commission and the Council. He further stressed that the
competences and responsibilities of the European Foreign Minister should be
clearly defined so as to avoid any confusion and overlapping in performing
his or her duties. As regards the provisions for revising the Treaties, Mr
Iacovou said Cyprus supported the proposals for replacing, in some areas,
unanimity with qualified majority voting at the Council, provided that
democratic processes would be fully respected. He further expressed Cyprus'
agreement with the proposals for employing the co-decision procedure,
involving the Council and the European Parliament, and the inclusion of
national Parliaments in the decision-making process. The next IGC meeting
will take place in Naples, Italy, on 28-29 November 2003.
[03] Greek Foreign Minister stresses need to resolve the Cyprus problem
The Greek Foreign Minister, Mr George Papandreou, has said that the Cyprus
problem was discussed during a working lunch yesterday in Brussels,
attended by the 25 Foreign Ministers of the EU member states and acceding
countries and the US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell. Speaking after the
lunch, Mr Papandreou said he had raised the Cyprus issue noting the need to
continue the existing cooperation for its resolution. He also said that no
reference to Turkey was made during the lunch. Referring to yesterday's
meeting of the EU General Affairs Council, Mr Papandreou stressed that the
discussion on Cyprus was very positive, something that would be confirmed
at the forthcoming European Summit.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
|
