Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-11-26
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
Thursday, 26 November 1998
CONTENTS
- [01] President Clerides says EU entry should allay mistrust between the two
communities
[01] President Clerides says EU entry should allay mistrust between the two
communities
Cyprus President, Glafcos Clerides has said that the island's accession to
the European Union should serve as a catalyst in solving the Cyprus problem
because it would allay the mistrust that the two communities had for each
other.
Giving a lecture at the London School of Economics, the President said that
it was this mistrust which was the main obstacle to the finding of a
solution.
He added that entry into the EU should pacify Turkish Cypriot fears that
the Greek Cypriot majority would prevail over them or even unite with
Greece because as a member of the EU it would be impossible for it to do
so.
Joining the EU would allay Greek Cypriot fears that Turkey might one day
take over the whole of the island because Turkey would be prevented from
exercising the right of military intervention unilaterally against Cyprus
anytime she felt it was necessary to do so.
Referring to the current phase of the Cyprus problem, President Clerides
said it had reached an impasse because of the insistence of the Turkish
Cypriot leadership and Turkey on recognition of the so-called Turkish
Cypriot state, which is against all UN resolutions and has met with a
negative response by the international community.
Clerides leaves for Athens today where he will hold talks tomorrow with
Greek Premier, Costas Simitis.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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