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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 04-01-27
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Tuesday, 27 January 2004 Turkish statements on Cyprus "extremely vague",
says Greek Premier
[02] Washington calls on Cyprus parties to show will for settlement by 1
May
[03] President Papadopoulos departs for Strasbourg / National Council to
convene on 2 February
[04] Commerce Minister meets Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister
[01] Turkish statements on Cyprus "extremely vague", says Greek Premier
The Greek Prime Minister, Mr Costas Simitis, has described the latest
statements by the Turkish government on Cyprus as "extremely vague".
Speaking yesterday after a meeting with the President of the Hellenic
Republic Mr Constantinos Stephanopoulos, Mr Simitis noted, with regard to
Cyprus, that a substantial shift in Turkish policy on Cyprus was needed in
order to allow for a just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem in the
framework of UN decisions. "Most importantly, what is needed is a solution
that ensures the participation of the Cyprus Republic in the European Union
without difficulties and obstacles, so that it can exercise all its
potential", the Greek Premier added.
[02] Washington calls on Cyprus parties to show will for settlement by 1
May
The US State Department released the following statement last Sunday on a
recent meeting between the UN Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan and the
Turkish Prime Minister Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding Cyprus: Positive
Meeting on Cyprus Negotiations We are pleased that United Nations Secretary
General Kofi Annan is encouraged by the positive meeting regarding Cyprus
that he held January 24, in Davos, Switzerland, with Turkish Prime Minister
Erdogan, in which Prime Minister Erdogan expressed Turkey's strong desire
to see Cyprus negotiations resume in order to reach a settlement by May
1. We note that Secretary General Annan indicated his Good Offices Mission
is ready for new talks if the parties to the Cyprus issue demonstrate the
political will to conclude an agreement, including the holding of referenda,
by May 1. Following this encouraging meeting between the UN Secretary
General and the Turkish Prime Minister, the other parties should demonstrate
to the Secretary General the necessary political will as soon as possible,
so that a settlement may be reached in time for a reunited Cyprus to join
the European Union on May 1.
[03] President Papadopoulos departs for Strasbourg / National Council to
convene on 2 February
The President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, departed this
morning for Strasbourg where he will address the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe (PACE), on 28 January, and will also hold a series of
meetings with officials of the Council of Europe and the European Court of
Human Rights. President Papadopoulos will then travel to Brussels where he
will meet, on 30 January, the European Commission President, Mr Romano
Prodi. He will return to Cyprus in the evening of the same day. Moreover,
according to an official press release, Mr Papadopoulos has summoned a
meeting of the National Council - the President's top advisory body on the
handlings of the Cyprus problem - on Monday, 2 February, at 9:30 a.m.
[04] Commerce Minister meets Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister
The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Mr George Lillikas, met
yesterday with Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign
Affairs and External Trade, Mrs Lydie Polfer, with whom he discussed ways
of developing bilateral commercial relations in light of Cyprus' forthcoming
accession to the European Union and a possible solution of the Cyprus
problem. Mrs Polfer informed Mr Lillikas about the participation of
Luxembourg's Tourism Organisation in Cyprus' State Fair next spring. She
also referred to President Papadopoulos' suggestion to explore the
possibility of organising exchange visits between the chambers of commerce
of the two countries with a view at strengthening bilateral relations in
the field of trade. On his part, Mr Lillikas referred to the advantages of
Cyprus' geographical position, making it a bridge between Europe and the
Middle East. He noted that this position could turn out beneficial and
useful for the other EU member states, after Cyprus' official accession to
the Union in May.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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