Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-03-16

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

Tuesday, 16 March 1999

CONTENTS

• [01] Government Spokesman resigns
• [02] No country outside the EU can veto Cyprus' accession to Europe, says German Foreign Minister

[01] Government Spokesman resigns

In a letter to President Clerides, Mr Stylianides said he was resigning on a matter of principle because he disagreed with the decision of the Council of Ministers over the report of the Ombudsman on alleged improper actions on the part of Interior Minister, Mr Michaelides.

[02] No country outside the EU can veto Cyprus' accession to Europe, says German Foreign Minister

Speaking after a meeting in Bonn with Cyprus' Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Mr Fischer said "We are aware of the special circumstances under which these negotiations are taking place, not for economic but for political reasons".

Germany, he added, supports the efforts of the Cyprus government to do all it can towards achieving a positive outcome to the political problem, since they see a close connection with the entry negotiations.

"We hope that after the elections in Turkey there will be a climate of constructive talks aimed at overcoming the political problems", he said.

Mr Fischer gave firm reassurances that Germany's position is and has always been that the Turkish side cannot have a veto on Cyprus' accession to Europe.

He added that the Cyprus problem is one of the most serious problems urgently needing a solution, in view of the possibility of an incident flaring up, irrespective of whether the island is an EU member or not.

On his part Mr Kasoulides said that they had discussed ways in which they could contribute to peace and stability in the region, as well as finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, something which is a priority for Cyprus.

"We gave reassurances that we will continue to show a constructive and positive stance to all international efforts in order to achieve this", he said.

He expressed the belief that Cyprus will achieve its objective of accession to the EU by the next enlargement, because the island's application will be judged by its own merits and by the fact that no country outside the EU will have the right to veto Cyprus' accession.

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

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