Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-10-13

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

News Update

Tuesday, 13/10/98

CONTENTS

• [01] Halonen: Cyprus should get equal treatment with all EU candidate countries
• [02] Green: Cyprus will join the EU

[01] Halonen: Cyprus should get equal treatment with all EU candidate countries

Ms Halonen who is on a three day official visit to Cyprus said that "it is very important for Finland to have equal treatment of candidate countries and Cyprus is considered to be a very good candidate country, one of the most active ones".

Speaking at a joint Press Conference with her Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides, she expressed the hope to see more practical steps taken towards the enlargement process.

She also expressed her country's support to the UN peace process and welcomed the Cyprus government's decision to open an embassy in Helsinki next year.

Replying to questions she pointed out that Cyprus has the right to get equal treatment and have the same tasks as other candidate countries

Her views echoed Mr Kasoulides' comments who said that "it is extremely important that each applicant must be treated on the merits of its application and no other considerations, such as bilateral relations between the EU and a third country".

[02] Green: Cyprus will join the EU

Ms Green, who was speaking to the press after a meeting with the President of the Republic Mr. Glafcos Clerides, expressed satisfaction at the unanimous decision adopted by the 15 EU member states stating that Cyprus will be included in the next phase of the European Union's enlargement.

Ms Green also praised President Clerides' invitation to the Turkish Cypriot community to participate in the Republic's negotiating team stressing that this conveys a "powerful message to the EU that the President of Cyprus understands and fully appreciates his commitment to the Turkish Cypriot community".

Invited to comment on problems raised by some EU members, the British EuroMP stressed that the unanimous decisions reached by the 15 governments on Cyprus are in favour of the Republic's European course adding that the way is set and Cyprus will join the EU.

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

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