Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-03-13

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

News Update

Friday, 13/03/98

CONTENTS

• [01] EU presidency congratulates President Clerides on proposal to Turkish Cypriots
• [02] Simitis says it is now up to the Turkish Cypriots to state their position

[01] EU presidency congratulates President Clerides on proposal to Turkish Cypriots

At the same time, it invited Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to give a positive reply to the proposal, noting this would benefit mostly the Turkish Cypriots.

Speaking at a press conference in London yesterday at the end of the European Conference, British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said "I very much congratulate President Clerides on the courage in making this offer. We welcome this step and we commend the offer to the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus".

Mr Cook also stressed that the EU presidency would "very much prefer to see a mixed delegation, negotiating on behalf of both communities." He noted that the presidency wants both communities to have the advantage of benefiting from membership, stressing that the Turkish Cypriot community "would actually benefit more because their standard of living is so much poorer."

Cook expressed the hope that this proposal will be met with a positive response from Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash," and we shall be watching this closely," he said.

Asked about the absence of Turkey from the European Conference, both Prime Minister Tony Blair and Secretary of State Robin Cook said that the door is open and it is up to Turkey to decide whether it will participate.

To a question concerning France's proposal that the accession talks should start but freeze, if no agreement is reached regarding the participation of the Turkish Cypriots, President of the European Commission Jacques Santer categorically stressed that the EU will follow the line of the conclusions of the Luxembourg European Council.

Moreover, Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said that President Clerides' invitation to the Turkish Cypriot side to join the talks "has been seen by the British presidency as a reasonable, generous offer. It is up to the Turkish Cypriot community to take up their historical responsibility".

[02] Simitis says it is now up to the Turkish Cypriots to state their position

The Greek Prime Minister, who was speaking at a press conference at the end of the European Conference in London, also said that in talks he had with his British counterpart, he ascertained that Mr Tony Blair has a positive approach to the prospect of Cyprus' accession.

Mr. Simitis expressed regret over the absence of Turkey from the European Conference, but, as he added, he felt even more regret because Turkey refused to accept what is self-evident - international law, international accords, acceptance of the jurisdiction of the International Court at The Hague and Europe's acquis communautaire.

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