Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 05-09-01

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] EU FMs discuss talking points on Turkey

[02] New Head of EC Representation in Nicosia assumes office today

[03] EP postpones ratification of Turkey's Protocol

[04] Cyprus becomes ICMH full member despite Turkish objections

[05] Britain says Turkey must implement protocol

[01] EU FMs discuss talking points on Turkey

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EU FMs discuss talking points on Turkey

by Rebekah Gregoriades

Newport, Sep 1 (CNA) -- Talking points submitted to the Informal Meeting of European Union Ministers of Foreign Affairs, which kicked off in Newport, Wales, early this afternoon, point to the importance the EU attaches to the de jure normalisation of relations between Turkey and all EU member states, the soonest this can be achieved.

CNA has learned that no second draft statement has been submitted by the British EU presidency, following the repercussions of yesterday's draft, but that talking points had been introduced as elements for a declaration and the Ministers were currently working on them.

The points under discussion concern the content of a statement that may be approved, by which the EU acknowledges signature by Turkey of the Ankara Agreement Protocol, but regrets that Turkey felt it necessary to make a declaration regarding the Republic of Cyprus at the time of its signature.

[02] New Head of EC Representation in Nicosia assumes office today

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New Head of EC Representation in Nicosia assumes office today

Nicosia, Sep 1 (CNA)--- New Head of the European Commission Representation in Nicosia, Themis Themistocleous, assumed office officially today.

Themistocleous, who served until yesterday as CNA Director, said he would work impartially to serve all Cypriot citizens as well as citizens of other EU member states, who reside in Cyprus.

[03] EP postpones ratification of Turkey's Protocol

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EP postpones ratification of Turkey's Protocol

Nicosia, Sep 1 (CNA) ---- The unilateral declaration by Turkey that it does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus is unacceptable, and thus the Protocol Turkey has signed regarding the extension of its Customs Union with all new member states, including Cyprus, which was a precondition for opening accession negotiations with Turkey, has no practical use, German European Parliament Member Elmar Brok said today.

Brok, who is also Chairman of the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs, called on the European Council and the Commission to find a solution to the problem that occurred with Turkey's declaration, noting that in the event there is no solution, the opening of Turkey -EU accession negotiations, due to start October 3rd, is almost not feasible.

Today all EP Committees Chairpersons decided to postpone the ratification of the Customs Union Protocol for a session late September, noting ''considering the unilateral declaration by Turkey that the extension of the customs union to Cyprus would not amount to the recognition of Cyprus under international law, this is the only logical consequence''.

[04] Cyprus becomes ICMH full member despite Turkish objections

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Cyprus becomes ICMH full member despite Turkish objections

Nicosia, Sep 1 (CNA) --- The Republic of Cyprus has upgrated its status at the International Commission of Military History (ICMH) and became a full member of the Commission, despite Turkey's efforts to prevent this development. The Republic of Cyprus was backed by France, Greece and Germany.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Defense, the Republic of Cyprus participated this year for the third time in the ICMH summit that took place in Madrid. During the past two years, Cyprus participated in the Commission as an observer.

[05] Britain says Turkey must implement protocol

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Britain says Turkey must implement protocol

by Rebekah Gregoriades

Newport, Sep 1 (CNA) -- British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, whose country is currently holding the EU rotating presidency, said today that the protocol extending Ankara's customs union with the EU to the ten new member states would have to be implemented, noting that during the Informal Foreign Ministers' Council, which began in Newport today, there was a broad but not unanimous agreement on the elements that should be included in an EU statement on the Turkish declaration issued at the time the protocol was signed, saying that it did not recognise the Republic of Cyprus.

European Commissioner on Enlargement Olli Rehn noted that the signing of the protocol should lead to its ratification and full implementation, which also meant opening Turkish ports to Cypriot vessels, adding that the Turkish declaration could not question the legal relevance and full implementation of the protocol.

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