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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 04-02-18
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Wednesday, 18 February 2004 National Council discusses decision to
resume talks
[02] Papandreou: Cyprus problem high on agenda of international community
[03] UN top envoy arrives in Cyprus in view of new round of peace
talks
[04] "Unity of Cyprus has become a very realistic possibility", says
Schwimmer
[01] National Council discusses decision to resume talks
The National Council - the President's top advisory body on the handling of
the Cyprus question - convened yesterday afternoon under the chairmanship
of the President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos. Speaking after
the meeting, Government Spokesman Mr Kypros Chrysostomides made the
following statement: "During today's meeting of the National Council, the
President of the Republic Mr Tassos Papadopoulos briefed in detail and
extensively the Council members about the recent talks at the UN Headquarters
and the agreement reached with regard to the process of negotiations.
The members of the negotiating team for finding a solution to the Cyprus
problem and the members of the National Council expressed their views,
assessments and concerns. The National Council members, except the New
Horizons representatives, support the effort of the President of the
Republic to achieve those changes that would make the solution functional
and viable."
[02] Papandreou: Cyprus problem high on agenda of international community
Mr George Papandreou, newly-elected President of Greece's ruling socialist
party PASOK and contestant in the March elections in Greece, noted that the
Cyprus problem was now high on the agenda of the international community,
something that the Greek and Cyprus governments had been pursuing for
years. Speaking after a meeting with President Tassos Papadopoulos
yesterday in Nicosia, Mr Papandreou said he and the President had the
opportunity to exchange views on the new phase of direct talks, resuming
tomorrow, which might ensue in a possible participation of Greece and
Turkey under the auspices of the United Nations. He further noted that he
had recently spoken over the telephone with the UN Secretary-General who
had asked Mr Papandreou to stay in close contact with him for any
developments regarding the peace process. "Mr Annan is willing to
contribute substantially towards a settlement of the Cyprus problem", Mr
Papandreou pointed out. Noting the significance of the participation of the
European Union in the talks, and of the European Commission in particular,
Mr Papandreou said it would help ensure the functional participation of a
united Cyprus in the EU.
[03] UN top envoy arrives in Cyprus in view of new round of peace
talks
The UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Mr Alvaro de Soto,
arrived in Cyprus last night, in view of the new round of direct talks to
resume tomorrow for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
Speaking upon his arrival at Larnaca Airport, the UN envoy said he was
optimistic that a viable and functional solution would emerge from the
talks, noting that "we are either there or very close to it already".
According to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Mr de Soto noted, "What we are
hoping for is that since it is going to be necessarily a compromise, and
compromises usually don't have many fans or enthusiasts, that the leaders
will continue to participate in this exercise, will rise up to their
responsibility thus helping to explain how a compromise is necessary and
indeed unavoidable in order to reach a settlement on Cyprus". He also said,
in response to a question, that "the Secretary-General has gone out of his
way this time around to make clear that if the two sides want changes we
will be looking very carefully at them and we will be there to lend our
assistance, helping to build bridges and helping to create trade-offs and
we will look for all opportunities to do so". Before coming to Cyprus, the
Peruvian diplomat was in Brussels where he held talks with EU Enlargement
Commissioner Mr Gunter Verheugen and Commission President Mr Romano Prodi
on the Cyprus peace efforts. Speaking after his meeting with Mr Verheugen,
Mr de Soto noted inter alia the following:
"We are about to launch into, what we hope is the end game of this process.
At long last, it is the oldest peace-making mandate that the Secretary-
General has and we are looking forward to completing it. We will do so with
not only the material and human support and technical support of the
European Commission, but also spared by what has been, as the S.G. has said
in his reports to the Security Council, the catalytic element that is
provided by the prospect of Cyprus' accession to the EU on 1 May 2004 and
the strong need, I dare to say the imperative, that that accession should
be as a united state rather than a divided one. We are looking forward to a
very intense few weeks ahead of us." For his part, the Enlargement
Commissioner said a solution of the long-standing Cyprus problem was now
closer than ever and pledged that the European Commission would fully
support the UN peace process "not only with experts on the ground, but also
with all the experience which we have acquired as a neutral mediator during
the long accession process". He also noted that he would come to the island
today to encourage the two sides to agree on outstanding issues as quickly
as possible. "I want to assure them all of our support, that we can welcome
on the 1st of May a reunited Cyprus as a new member state", he added,
stressing that the settlement of the Cyprus problem was a matter of the
highest priority for the Commission. Replying to a question on the role of
the EU in the peace process, Mr Verheugen pointed out the following:
"First of all, we have to help the parties to find solutions for problems
which have to do with the acquis communautaire. Secondly, we have to
prepare on a very clear, transparent legal situation, which would fulfil
what President Prodi and I have promised several times and the Member
States have endorsed, that we will accommodate the terms of the settlement,
as long as the settlement is based on the principles on which the EU is
founded. But there is no doubt that this will be the case. I do not think
that a kind of institutionalized role or something like that is necessary.
Our presence is guaranteed, our presence is strong and I think that our
presence is in this principle. But we are there in order to support the UN.
This is very clear, it is a UN mandate and it is not our mandate. We have
to support it and we will do that." Mr Alvaro de Soto said, in response to
another question about the holding of simultaneous separate referenda, that
the UN would find it "deeply surprising at the very least if not tragic
that people should not accept the agreed settlement", noting, "We do not
have a plan B nor are we thinking about scenarios about what will
happen." "We are quite confident that the Cypriot people, all of them,
Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, so long mourned this separation, will
take up not only the opportunity but also the challenges of reunification",
he added.
[04] "Unity of Cyprus has become a very realistic possibility", says
Schwimmer
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Walter Schwimmer, has
welcomed the major breakthrough towards a solution that the Greek and
Turkish Cypriot sides have committed themselves to negotiate on the basis
of the plan of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, a Council of
Europe press release said. "I congratulate Kofi Annan for this frank
success", Mr Schwimmer said in Strasbourg. "Mostly I am particularly happy
for the people of Cyprus, who are one decisive step nearer to achieving
unity before Cyprus will join the European Union on 1st May 2004. For the
first time in 30 years the unity of Cyprus has become a very realistic
possibility. We must do everything not to miss this chance", he added,
pointing out however that there was a great deal of work ahead "for the
plan to be completed in all respects by 22nd March 2004".
According to the press release, issued last Saturday, the Secretary General
of the Council of Europe has already responded to Mr Kofi Annan's call for
assistance positively and plans, as a first step, to invite party leaders
from both communities to meet for the second time in the Council of Europe
in Strasbourg at the beginning of March.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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