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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 99-03-18Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>Thursday, 18 March 1999CONTENTS[01] French Foreign Minister says Cyprus' EU accession should not lead to partitionFrance's primary concern is that Cyprus' accession negotiations with the European Union do not lead to a de facto partition of the island.Responding in writing to a question by deputy Roland Blum on Cyprus' accession to the EU, French Foreign Minister, Hubert Vedrine, said that "With the start of accession negotiations in November, it emerged that the continuing division of the island was posing problems to the implementation of the acquis communautaire, particularly as regards the Common Foreign and Security Policy," Mr Vedrine said. However, he pointed out "this does not imply that either the Turkish Cypriot community or Turkey will have the right to veto Cyprus' accession as the decision regarding a country's accession to the EU lies with the member-states themselves." He added that the Council should have the means to control the accession procedure and at the same time encourage the interested parties to reach a political solution before accession. He stressed that France fully supports the UN Secretary General's mission of good offices towards finding a just and permanent settlement to the Cyprus problem, based on UN resolutions and aimed at the establishment of a bizonal and bicommunal federation. [02] Russia denounces Denktas' statements on Varosha�Russia views the recent statements of the Turkish Cypriot leaders as �another proof of their lack of political will and readiness to search for a lasting settlement of the island/s problem which will correspond to the interests of all Cypriots�, spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Vladimir Rakhmanin said at a briefing on Tuesday.Mr Rakhmanin, who was commenting on the Turkish Cypriot community leader's recent intention to use some buildings in Famagusta , stressed that �This is not the first threat of the Turkish Cypriot leader, and all of them have been invariably denounced by the international community � �Such moves of the Turkish Cypriot leadership would mean an open ignoring of resolutions of the UN Security Council�, Rakhmanin stressed. [03] Britain upholds the need to move Cyprus EU process forwardBritish Deputy Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Ms Joyce Quin stressed last Tuesday that �both parts of the Cypriot community can benefit from the country/s accession to the EU.�Replying to relevant questions on Cyprus during an oral discussion in the House of Commons, Ms Quin said that �we must look for ways to take forward both the process of EU accession and the important process of seeking a settlement to the Cyprus Problem� Commenting on the efforts made by the UN Special Representative to Cyprus, Ms Quin stressed that �greater political willingness must be shown- particularly in the north of Cyprus-regarding some of the bicommunal and bizonal activities that are important in paving the way for the eventual reunification of the island�. �The efforts of the Special Representative are important, but we must encourage all sides to participate actively in negotiations�, she concluded. 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 |
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