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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-12-19
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Friday, 19 December 2003 UN Security Council urges T/C leadership to
resume UN-led peace talks
[02] EP resolution says Turkey has to show political will for Cyprus
settlement
[03] There is still possibility for settlement by 1 May 2004, says
Verheugen
[04] Washington reiterates support for solution on the basis of the Annan
Plan
[01] UN Security Council urges T/C leadership to resume UN-led peace
talks
The members of the UN Security Council held ad hoc talks yesterday on the
outcome of last Sunday's voting in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus.
The Council members agreed on the following press statement on Cyprus, read
out by the Security Council President and Bulgarian Permanent Representative,
Mr Stefan Tavrov: "The members of the Security Council welcome the fact
that the majority of Turkish Cypriots have expressed their desire for a
solution to the Cyprus problem and for accession to the European Union.
This result is all the more noteworthy given pressures faced by the Turkish
Cypriots to support the status quo.
The members hope that all parties in northern Cyprus and all other
concerned parties will honour the desire of the majority of Turkish
Cypriots as soon as possible. The members continue to believe that securing
a comprehensive settlement negotiated on the basis of the detailed
proposals of the Secretary-General and accession to the European Union by a
reunited Cyprus would be in the interests of all Cypriots.
The members reiterate their full support for the good offices of the
Secretary-General as entrusted to him in Security Council resolution 1250.
They urge the Turkish Cypriot leadership and all parties concerned to
strongly support the Secretary-General's efforts and, in this context, call
for an immediate resumption of the talks on the basis of his proposals. The
members reaffirm the Council's previous resolutions and statements on
Cyprus, including resolutions 541, 550 and 1475."
[02] EP resolution says Turkey has to show political will for Cyprus
settlement
The European Parliament (EP), in a resolution adopted yesterday in
Strasbourg on the results of the European Council (Brussels, 12-13
December), urged all parties concerned, and in particular Turkey and the
Turkish Cypriot leadership, to demonstrate their compliance with the UN
Secretary-General's criteria for the resumption of the talks for a Cyprus
settlement on the basis of the Annan Plan. It further noted the importance
of the expression by Turkey of the political will to find a solution to the
Cyprus problem by 1 May 2004. In particular, in paragraphs 29, 30 and 31 of
the aforementioned resolution, which concern Cyprus, the European
Parliament: "Notes with interest the outcome of the Turkish Cypriot
'elections' of 14 December and hopes that this result is indicative of
support for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem and for
accession to the EU; Urges all parties concerned, and in particular Turkey
and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, to demonstrate their commitment to
meeting the United Nations Secretary-General's criteria for the resumption
of negotiations on the basis of his proposals as a matter of urgency so
that talks can be resumed; Reiterates it hopes to see a reunited Cyprus
join the Union on 1 May 2004; draws attention in this context to the
importance of the expression by Turkey of the political will to find a
solution to the issue of Cyprus." In paragraph 28 which refers to Turkey,
the European Parliament expressed its agreement with the positions of both
the European Commission and the European Council that a settlement of the
Cyprus problem would greatly facilitate Turkey's EU membership aspirations.
[03] There is still possibility for settlement by 1 May 2004, says
Verheugen
The European Commission continues to believe that there are still
possibilities for resolving the Cyprus problem by 1 May 2004 and is pushing
towards that direction, Enlargement Commissioner Mr Gunter Verheugen has
noted, adding that the Commission considered the voting in the occupied
areas of the island a political deliberation which could possibly bear
significant ramifications. Mr Verheugen was replying to a question put
forward by Greek MEP Ms Myrsini Zorba, on the outcome of the "elections" in
northern Cyprus, during a plenary session of the European Parliament last
Wednesday in Strasbourg. The German Commissioner said that the connection
of a solution to the Cyprus problem with Turkey's European course was a
fact and not finding a solution would constitute an obstacle for Turkey's
EU candidacy. Mr Verheugen also expressed hope that Ankara would realise
that it was to its own benefit to assume a new initiative in order to reach
a settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Annan plan by 1 May
2004.
[04] Washington reiterates support for solution on the basis of the Annan
Plan
The US State Department Spokesman, Mr Richard Boucher, has stressed during
yesterday's press briefing that the United States continued to support the
UN Secretary-General's plan as a basis for a comprehensive settlement of
the Cyprus problem. He further urged the parties concerned to start working
towards a settlement on the basis of the Annan Plan. Replying to a question
on whether the US supported only the Annan Plan as a basis for a Cyprus
settlement, in light of the announcement that the Turkish government
intended to present a new plan next week, Mr Boucher said: "The United
States has consistently made clear our support for the Annan plan. We
believe that is the solution that needs to be looked at now by all the
parties. We're obviously interested in ideas and thoughts that the Turkish
government might have, but we are looking for all the parties to support
the Annan plan and to get back together and start working on that
basis."
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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