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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-11-06
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Thursday, 06 November 2003 Government satisfied with the European
Commission's progress report on Cyprus
[02] Gunter Verheugen: European Commission sees a political link between
Turkey's EU aspirations and a solution to the Cyprus problem
[03] Romano Prodi: European Union desires to see a unified Cyprus entering
the EU
[04] Ambassador of Cyprus to the US meets with the U.S. Secretary of
State
[01] Government satisfied with the European Commission's progress report on
Cyprus
Cyprus has reached "a high level of alignment" with the European Acquis
Communautaire in most policy areas and it is expected to be in a position
to implement the Acquis as required in the majority of chapters negotiated
during the membership talks, according to the European Commission's
''Comprehensive monitoring report on Cyprus' preparations for membership''.
In its report on Cyprus, which was presented yesterday at the European
Parliament together with the reports of the rest of the EU acceding and
candidate countries, the Commission said that in certain areas Cyprus
partially meets the commitments and requirements and needs to make enhanced
efforts in order to complete its preparations for accession. This includes,
among other chapters, legislation relating to the free movement of goods
and services, company law, fisheries, transport policy, energy, social
policy and employment, telecommunications and information technologies and
financial control. Moreover the report stresses that "Cyprus must take
immediate and decisive action to address three issues of serious concern in
two chapters of the Acquis, if it is to be ready by the date of accession.
This concerns the field of agriculture, in particular Cyprus' preparations
to put in place its Paying Agency, and to prepare for the application of
external trade mechanisms. It also concerns the field of transport policy,
as regards maritime safety." On the political issue, the report says that
the Commission ''strongly believes that a solution to the Cyprus problem
can still be found before 1 May 2004 in order to allow the accession of a
united Cyprus.
It adds, however, that "in case a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus
problem is not reached before the date of accession, Protocol No 10 annexed
to the Accession Treaty envisages the suspension of the Acquis in the areas
of the country which are not under the effective control of the Government
of Cyprus.'' Cyprus Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides made a
statement yesterday expressing the Government's full satisfaction with the
contents of the European Commission's progress report on Cyprus.
"The Cyprus Government expresses its full satisfaction with the content of
the progress report on Cyprus. The European Commission considers that
Cyprus is ready to accede to the European Union and that it fully complies
with its obligations towards the Acquis Communautaire. Some observations
are of minor importance and Cyprus will be ready for its official accession
on 1st May 2004. The Government also expresses its satisfaction with the
political part, the only political reference to the Cyprus Problem in the
Report on Cyprus, in which the Commission says that it wishes the accession
of a united Cyprus to the European Union and that if in the meantime this
is not reached by 1st May, then according to Protocol 10 of the Accession
Treaty the implementation of the Acquis Communautaire on the areas that are
not under the effective control of the Government of Cyprus is suspended."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed its satisfaction with the
report on Cyprus' preparations for EU membership and noted that the
European Commission considers positive the level of readiness and the
extent of compliance with the Acquis Communautaire. In a written statement
issued yesterday, the Foreign Ministry said that the Cyprus Government
fully acknowledges its obligations towards the European Union and is making
all the necessary moves to ensure full and prompt compliance with the
Acquis Communautaire. The Cyprus Government "had notified the European
Commission on the very latest developments in the implementation of its
commitments in the problematic areas the Commission identifies, which due
to lack of time have not been incorporated in the report", it said.
The Ministry also describes as ''positive'' the Commission's view that a
solution to the Cyprus question can still be found before 1st May 2004, so
that a reunited Cyprus would join the EU.
[02] Gunter Verheugen: European Commission sees a political link between
Turkey's EU aspirations and a solution to the Cyprus problem
The European Commissioner for Enlargement Mr Gunter Verheugen stated
yesterday that the European Commission wanted to make it clear that they
see a political link between Turkey's EU aspirations and a solution to the
Cyprus problem. Addressing the Plenary session of the European Parliament
in Brussels after the presentation of reports of the European Commission on
the progress of the acceding and candidate countries, Mr Verheugen said
that the link was necessary because the situation in Cyprus is undignified
and Europe must use all opportunities to overcome this anachronistic
situation. More specifically Mr Verheugen said that the Commission took a
new step this time by making a link, in the Strategy Report, between
Turkey's EU accession and the question of Cyprus, and this is something
that might lead to controversy. He explained that although this link was
not a prerequisite for Turkey's accession, the absence of a solution to the
Cyprus problem would be a serious obstacle to Turkey's EU aspirations. The
European Commission, he said, wanted to note that they do see a political
link here and to encourage Turkey to be more active, take more initiatives
in order to solve the Cyprus problem on the basis of the UN Plan.
The EU Commissioner stressed that we must overcome this anachronistic
situation, noting that it would unacceptable to have an EU member state
needing the protection of the United Nations Forces
[03] Romano Prodi: European Union desires to see a unified Cyprus entering
the EU
The President of the European Commission Mr Romano Prodi expressed
yesterday the European Union's desire to see a unified Cyprus entering the
EU. Addressing the European Parliament in Brussels, Mr Prodi said it is
in Turkey's interests to find a quick solution to the Cyprus problem.
"Reaching a settlement quickly is in Turkey's interest too, because this
would prevent the Cyprus issue from becoming an obstacle to its own
aspirations.
The issue can still be settled before 1 May next year on the basis of the
UN Secretary-General's proposal. All parties concerned need to contribute
to this process and the Commission stands ready to assist in every possible
way," he said.
[04] Ambassador of Cyprus to the US meets with the U.S. Secretary of
State
The Appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the United States Mr.
Euripides L. Evriviades met with the Secretary of State Mr. Colin Powell on
October 31, 2003 to present copies of his Letters of Credence, prior to the
presentation of his credentials to President George W. Bush.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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