Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-08-25

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

Tuesday, 25/08/98

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus Foreign Minister on Athens talks
• [02] Pangalos: Greece's role in the deployment of missiles issue is "advisory"

[01] Cyprus Foreign Minister on Athens talks

He said that the talks will concentrate on three issues: the latest developments in the Cyprus question in view of the hardening of the Turkish stance, Cyprus' accession course to the European Union and defence matters.

Regarding Cyprus' European course, Mr Kasoulides explained that the focus will be on future developments namely the proposal of the Austrian Presidency for the transition from the screening process to actual negotiations of the six countries and the Commission's Report to the European Council in December.

Asked if the Athens talks will also deal with a possible postponement of the deployment of the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles Mr Kasoulides replied: "We shall examine defence and arms acquisition issues in general".

[02] Pangalos: Greece's role in the deployment of missiles issue is "advisory"

Athens News Agency reported Mr Pangalos as saying that the issue was one which solely concerned the Republic of Cyprus, while Greece's "advisory" role was limited to intervening only if and when Athens was asked to do so.

As far as Greece is concerned, the issue of the missiles was never a substantial one in the overall Cyprus problem, he said and reiterated past statements made by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, that the deployment of the anti-aircraft missiles was not an end in itself, but rather an effort to restore a better balance of power in the region.

The Foreign Minister stressed that "the substance is for intercommunal talks to restart so that the political problem can be resolved and the negotiations for Cyprus' entry into the European Union can begin-two issues which are far more important than this technical matter."

He called on the US administration to implement the concept of "US legality" with regard to Turkish arms in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus.

"The issue is actually quite simple. The US should persuade Turkey to withdraw its US-made arms from Cyprus. It's a matter of political will, provided, of course, that this exists," he said, adding that it was up to the US to request from Turkey that it withdraws its military forces from Cyprus, which occupy the island's northern part since 1974.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article