Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-05-04

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

Friday, 4 May 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] Greek Premier: Cyprus' EU accession will ensure peace and security in the region
• [02] Turkish Cypriot leader's intransigence blamed for the impasse in the Cyprus peace talks

[01] Greek Premier: Cyprus' EU accession will ensure peace and security in the region

Speaking to the press after talks with President Glafcos Clerides, in Athens yesterday, Mr Simitis also noted that Cyprus EU accession negotiations were proceeding well and expressed the hope that Cyprus would remain in the lead of most other candidate countries for EU accession.

Despite the fact that the UN-sponsored peace talks on Cyprus have entered an impasse due to Turkish Cypriot intransigence, the Greek Cypriot side and Greece believe that the dialogue is essential and should continue from where it had stopped last November, Mr Simitis said.

The Greek Premier further expressed the hope that the dialogue will lead to a solution of the political problem, noting that the Turkish Cypriot side has an obligation to contribute to a solution of the Cyprus problem based on the United Nations resolutions.

"We will continue to support the UN Secretary-General's efforts for an overall, just and permanent solution of the problem, based on the UN Security Council resolutions for the creation of a bizonal, bicommunal federation", he added.

Referring to bilateral relations, Mr Simitis said that special attention should be given to the joint defence pact agreed upon by Greece and Cyprus in 1993, and stressed that both countries should continue to upgrade their cooperation as long as the Turkish military presence and occupation of a large part of Cyprus continues.

In his statement, President Clerides expressed appreciation for Greece's support in Cyprus' efforts to reach a political settlement and to accede to the European Union.

In a joint communique issued at the end of the talks, the two sides reconfirmed, inter alia, the mutual willingness of Greece and Cyprus to support the UN Secretary-General's efforts aimed at finding an overall, just and permanent solution to the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions, for the creation of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

They also noted that Cyprus' accession provides a unique opportunity to create conditions of security and prosperity for all Cypriots, within the framework of the great European family.

President Clerides also had a meeting yesterday with the President of the Greek Parliament Mr Apostolos Kaklamanis who assured him that the Cyprus problem is and will continue to be Greece's "first national priority" until the final justification of the people of the island.

After the meeting, Mr Kaklamanis awarded President Clerides, during a special ceremony, with the Golden Medal of the Greek Parliament, in appreciation for his struggles for Cyprus and Hellenism.

Continuing his contacts in Athens, President Clerides also held separate meetings yesterday afternoon with New Democracy Leader Mr Costas Karamanlis, Communist Party General Secretary Mrs Aleca Papariga and Coalition Party President Mr Nicos Constantopoulos, who all reaffirmed their support and solidarity to the government of Cyprus in its efforts for a settlement of the Cyprus problem.

[02] Turkish Cypriot leader's intransigence blamed for the impasse in the Cyprus peace talks

Replying to a question by Senator Barbara Mikulski, during a hearing before the Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, on what the US government's plans are on the issue of a continued special envoy on Cyprus and what it intends to do towards a settlement in Cyprus, Mr Powell stated the following:

"As you know we're at a bit of an impasse right now because of the position taken by Mr. Denktash. And we are supporting the UN efforts on this.

At the moment, I am examining the whole issue of special envoys. When I took over, I discovered we had over 50 special envoys and ambassadors-at- large here and there, and in order to sort of clean up things and start fresh, eliminated quite a number of them. Some are in law, and they were not eliminated. And some were doing very, very useful work.

I want to continue to examine Cyprus for a bit longer to decide what best we can do, with respect to our representation, to move that process along, but I haven't made a decision yet".

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

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