Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-12-06
HR-Net News Distribution Manager
Wednesday, 6 December 2000
CONTENTS
[01] Statement by the Government Spokesman
[02] UN Secretary General recommends extension of UNFICYP mandate in
Cyprus
[03] Foreign Minister addresses the EU Intergovernmental Conference
[04] Proposal by a foreign bank to set up a "stabilizing fund" for the
Cyprus stock exchange
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[01] Statement by the Government Spokesman
The Government Spokesman Mr Michalis Papapetrou, commented yesterday, on
Turkey's Accession Partnership with the European Union.
He said that despite the full mobilisation and strong reaction of Turkish
diplomacy aiming at disassociating Turkey's Accession Partnership from the
Cyprus problem, the text that has been adopted in the Accession Partnership
contains clear references to the Cyprus problem. "I wish to stress that the
relevant reference remains in the operative part on Turkey's short term
obligations and the whole effort made by Turkey to remove it, even from
this paragraph, has not been successful".
Referring to Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Rauf Denktash's statement on 4
December that the UN sponsored proximity talks on Cyprus had ended for the
Turkish side, Mr Papapetrou said that this is contrary to the letter and
spirit of the European Union decision and in essence is the first jarring
note to it.
Asked what he thinks about the change made in the sub-heading of the text
of the Accession Partnership, which now reads 'Enhanced political dialogue
and political criteria', Mr Papapetrou said:
"It is a fact that a sub-heading has been added which refers to 'enhanced
political dialogue and political criteria'. However, this sub-heading comes
under the chapter of Turkey's short-tern obligations for the year
2001.
The meaning of 'enhanced political dialogue' is spelled out in paragraph 12
of the Helsinki conclusions, which inter alia says that 'Turkey will
benefit from a pre-accession strategy to stimulate and support its reforms.
This will include enhanced political dialogue, with emphasis on progressing
towards fulfilling the political criteria for accession with particular
reference to the issue of human rights, as well as on the issues referred
to in paragraphs 4 and 9 (a)'.
I would also like to remind you that paragraph 9 (a) says 'The European
Council welcomes the launch of the talks aiming at a comprehensive
settlement of the Cyprus problem on 3 December 1999 in New York and
expresses its strong support for the UN Secretary-General' s efforts to
bring the process to a successful conclusion'. I think that these
clarifications give the answers".
Replying to another question, the Spokesman said:"Nobody claims that this
document of the Accession Partnership is ideal or the best possible for our
side. Undoubtedly it could have been stronger. It could have demanded
respect for resolutions, the withdrawal of the occupation troops and
settlers, the return of the refugees etc. This procedure is used as a
catalyst for a solution. This document, however, is a very important
political tool, which our side is called upon to utilise so that Turkey may
be made to cooperate as closely and as sincerely as possible with the UN
Secretary General.
Asked why in his opinion the words " political dialogue" were inserted,
given the fact that political dialogue does not create legal obligations
for Turkey, Mr Papapetrou said:
"It was the result of a compromise and in the opinion of both the Cyprus
and the Greek Government this compromise, this wording, does not affect our
expectations. On the contrary it enables us to promote our cause".
Referring to the importance of the document, he said: "Although it is no
cause for celebration, it is important because the Helsinki Presidency
Conclusions have placed Turkey before some real dilemmas and created quite
specific obligations. These obligations are now becoming more practical and
time specific. What is more, Turkey has given its consent. Therefore, if
tomorrow it continues to follow the same policy it will come into conflict
with the EU and its own accession course and will violate commitments it
has undertaken on its own free will.
Compared with the Helsinki conclusions, the political demands of the EU not
only have not been relaxed but on the contrary have multiplied. The have
become more time specific.
Whereas the Turkish Prime Minister Mr Bulent Ecevit had threatened a few
days ago that even a mere reference to Cyprus would mean that Turkey would
stop its accession course, he has now changed tune and will attend the Nice
Council. This shows how Turkey's accession course could make the country's
leaders change their stand".
[02] UN Secretary General recommends extension of UNFICYP mandate in
Cyprus
In his latest report dated 1 Dec 2000 on the activities of the United
Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), which covers developments
from 1 June to 27 November 2000, the UN Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan
recommends to the Security Council to extend the mandate of the force for a
further period of six months, until 15 June 2001.
In the chapter entitled "Observations," the UN Secretary General notes "the
situation along the ceasefire lines in Cyprus has remained generally
stable." He stresses, however, that "the conditions in which UNFICYP
operates have become more difficult, owing to the restrictions imposed on
it by the Turkish Cypriot authorities and the Turkish forces."
Moreover, he points out that his "urgent call" to the Turkish Cypriot
authorities and the Turkish forces to "rescind the restrictions and to
restore the military status quo ante at Strovilia has not, so far, met with
a positive response."
In the prevailing circumstances, he considers the presence of UNFICYP
"essential for the maintenance of the ceasefire on the island".
The report notes that the Turkish forces and Turkish Cypriot security
forces "moved forward of their ceasefire line at Strovillia and have since
controlled the access of UNFICYP to its post in this small hamlet, which is
inhabited by Greek Cypriots". "Since October the Turkish forces have
prevented UNFICYP from moving along the Famagusta - Dherinia road", it
adds.
The significant impact of the above restrictions in the movement of UNFICYP
means much longer trips and long detours, and "as result the operational
effectiveness of UNFICYP has suffered," the report says.
The report acknowledges unilateral measures the Greek Cypriot side has
taken in connection with the issue of missing persons: "In addition to
other unilateral measures, the Greek Cypriot side has undertaken exhumations
as well as identification of remains."
In the fenced area of Varosha, which the United Nations force in Cyprus
continued to monitor, the status quo continued to change, the report says.
"The United Nations continues to hold the Government of Turkey responsible
for maintaining the status quo in Varosha," it adds.
On the Secretary General's good offices mission, the report outlines
developments during the proximity talks, conducted by his Special Adviser
Alvaro de Soto and notes the invitation the Secretary General has already
extended to the two sides for further talks in late January.
[03] Foreign Minister addresses the EU Intergovernmental Conference
"Seventeen chapters have been provisionally closed in the Cyprus EU
accession negotiations due to the close assistance and cooperation of the
European Commission and the Union's member states. However, we fully
realise that the most difficult chapters of the acquis are still to be
negotiated," Cyprus Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides said yesterday.
Speaking at the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference
for the accession of Cyprus to the European Union (EU), Mr Kasoulides
reconfirmed that Cyprus will continue its efforts and further enhance its
preparations in order to step up the pace of negotiations and add new
momentum in the future with a view to their timely conclusion".
Cyprus has expressed the government's appreciation to the French presidency
of the Council for "the important tasks it has undertaken in furthering the
accession process and conducting the work of the Intergovernmental
Conference on Institutional Reform", as well as "for the results achieved
so far".
Cyprus has expressed its satisfaction for both the 2000 Regular Report and
the Enlargement Strategy Paper he said, adding that "these documents arrive
at the conclusion that Cyprus does fulfil all the Copenhagen political and
economic criteria".
"We consider this as an encouragement to continue with more strength and
determination our efforts and work towards successfully concluding the
accession negotiations" he added.
Mr Kasoulides also expressed Cyprus' "sincere hope and expectation for a
successful conclusion of the Nice European Council, which will open the way
for effective institutional reforms and prepare the Union for its next
enlargement".
The European Council President, French Foreign Minister Mr Hubert Vedrine,
and the European Commissioner on enlargement Mr Gunter Verheugen, both
noted that Cyprus' EU accession talks have moved forward in a positive
manner and that progress has been made in certain chapters of the acquis
communautaire.
Mr Vedrine congratulated Mr Kasoulides on the work Cyprus has done
regarding full harmonisation with the acquis, noting that Cyprus has closed
17 chapters and is at an advanced stage of negotiations to close the
rest.
For his part Mr Verheugen also expressed the Commission's satisfaction with
Cyprus' preparation regarding the adoption of the acquis communautaire. He
underlined that the Commission would proceed in such a way that accession
negotiations would be completed within the year 2002 with the countries
that are ready to join the EU, so that enlargement can be feasible in
2003.
[04] Proposal by a foreign bank to set up a "stabilizing fund" for the
Cyprus stock exchange
The Cyprus Council of Ministers approved a proposal submitted by a foreign
bank, to set up a "stabilising fund" of 100 million Cyprus pounds for the
Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE), the Minister of Finance Mr Takis Klerides
announced yesterday.
Speaking after yesterday's Council of Ministers' meeting, Mr Klerides said
the proposal "indicates the trust of foreign banking and investment
organizations in the long-term future of the Cyprus Stock Exchange".
The Finance Minister noted that the fund would give the ability to those
handling it to intervene in the Cyprus Stock Exchange, by investing on a
long-term basis. He also said that the specific bank would bring money to
Cyprus, which would be invested in "low risk shares", if need be.
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From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO)
at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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