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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 04-02-11
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Wednesday, 11 February 2004 UN talks to resume today after 'constructive'
day
[02] Greek Parliament ratifies EU Accession Treaty
[03] G/C side sincerely hopes for success of the peace talks, says
Government Spokesman
[04] Japan welcomes resumption of UN talks for Cyprus settlement
[05] Cyprus opens first Embassy in Qatar
[01] UN talks to resume today after 'constructive' day
Talks between the UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, the President of the
Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf
Denktash, will continue this afternoon in New York, after a joint two-hour
meeting yesterday afternoon between Mr Annan and the Cyprus leaders in an
effort to reach a settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of his
peace plan. Earlier yesterday, the Secretary-General held separate brief
meetings with Mr Papadopoulos and Mr Denktash. Speaking to reporters after
yesterday's joint meeting, the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on
Cyprus, Mr Alvaro de Soto, said the talks had been "constructive", noting
that Mr Annan had asked the two leaders "to stay on and to take the morning
off for reflection" before meeting again today at 4 p.m.
Invited to say whether the sides were close to an agreement, Mr de Soto
noted, "We hope that after a night and a morning of reflection, that we
will come close". The UN official explained that more talks would be held
today "because we haven't quite finished".
Asked if that meant there was a breakdown in the negotiations, he replied,
"Not at all, it just means that we need more time". Mr de Soto further said
he did not wish to make a prediction about the outcome of the talks, adding
that he was "barred from saying anything that transpired at the meeting,
procedural or substantial". Commenting on the process prior to the joint
meeting yesterday afternoon, UN Spokesman Mr Fred Eckhard said the UN hoped
to establish the commitment of the two Cyprus parties to reach an
agreement. "If the commitment is forthcoming, the assumption is that
detailed technical talks would resume as soon as possible involving both
sides", he added. Asked if yesterday's talks would be a "one-day thing", Mr
Eckhard noted, "It is hard to predict. I think it is our assumption that
following a single session with the Secretary-General here in New York that,
as I said earlier, the detailed nuts and bolts negotiations could begin
with Alvaro de Soto representing the Secretary-General in the good offices
function." Furthermore, in brief statements to the press after his joint
meeting with the Secretary-General and Mr Denktash, President Papadopoulos
said, "We will continue tomorrow and we will see if we can reach any
conclusion". Mr Papadopoulos was accompanied to the meeting by former
President Mr Glafcos Clerides, the Director of his Diplomatic Office Mr
Tasos Tzionis and Cyprus' Permanent Representative to the UN Mr Andreas
Mavroyiannis.
[02] Greek Parliament ratifies EU Accession Treaty
The Greek Parliament ratified yesterday evening the Accession Treaty of the
ten acceding states, including Cyprus, to officially join the European
Union on 1 May 2004. In a speech that was read during the ratification
ceremony, the President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, hailed the
day as a historic landmark for Europe and the Republic of Cyprus.
"This is perhaps the greatest achievement and the most significant historic
moment of Cyprus, since the declaration of its independence in 1960", Mr
Papadopoulos said. He further said Cyprus wanted to become a constructive
and not a troublesome member of the EU, adding that that would be achieved
"if we manage to find a viable, functional solution to the Cyprus problem
so that a reunited Cyprus will enter the EU on 1st of May, in order for
Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and all the people of Cyprus, to enjoy
the benefits the accession will offer".
President Papadopoulos pledged that the Greek Cypriot side would do
whatever it could for a solution and reunification of the island.
[03] G/C side sincerely hopes for success of the peace talks, says
Government Spokesman
The Government Spokesman, Mr Kypros Chrysostomides, made yesterday the
following statement: "Our side sincerely wishes for progress in the process
that is currently underway and in the efforts for finding a solution to the
Cyprus problem. The request, the instruction, if you wish, of the UN
Secretary-General is to refrain from making any statements until tomorrow
concerning what has been discussed. Consequently, our side will refrain
from making any statements on the issue, even if the other side, the
Turkish side, makes revelations in violation of its commitment, thus simply
playing a public relations game throughout this period.
Our position is that we are not playing any such games. Our sincere goal is
for the success of the efforts to promote a solution to the Cyprus
problem." The Government Spokesman added that, "due to its commitment to
the UN Secretary-General, our side will not reveal what has been discussed
in the office of the UN Secretary-General."
[04] Japan welcomes resumption of UN talks for Cyprus settlement
The Japanese Foreign Ministry issued last Monday the following press
release on Cyprus: "Japan welcomes the news that from February 10, the
Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders will resume negotiations in New York
toward a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem upon the invitation
of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Japan expects that the Cypriot leaders of both sides will not miss this
historic opportunity of the accession of Cyprus to the EU in May this year
for a settlement of the Cyprus problem, and reach an agreement through
negotiations on the basis of the comprehensive settlement plan proposed by
the United Nations (Annan plan)."
[05] Cyprus opens first Embassy in Qatar
Mr George Kasoulides presented his credentials yesterday to the Emir of
Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, as the first Ambassador of the
Republic to Qatar. Presenting his credentials, Ambassador Kasoulides said
the opening of the Cyprus Embassy in Doha affirmed the significance Cyprus
attributed to its relations with the countries of the Arab Gulf, a policy
which coincided with its accession to the European Union.
As an EU member state, Cyprus does not wish to become a border and a
barrier but a bridge of communication with the countries of the region, the
Cyprus Ambassador noted. Receiving the credentials, the Emir of Qatar said
his country was supporting the UN Secretary-General's efforts for a
solution of the Cyprus problem and expressed the hope that the new round of
talks would bring peace to the divided island.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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