[01] The EU will never accept separate negotiations
The idea of separate negotiations with the Turkish Cypriots for Cyprus'
accession to the EU is unacceptable and will never happen; it is in the
interest of the Turkish Cypriots to cooperate for the accession of Cyprus
to the European Union so that they can also benefit from it, the European
Union Commissioner responsible for enlargement Mr. Gunther Verheugen said
yesterday.
Mr Verheugen was replying to questions by Euro MPs during a meeting of the
European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee on the issue of enlargement
with the candidate countries of South-eastern Europe.
Referring to the progress report on Cyprus' accession course, he expressed
satisfaction with the progress so far. Cyprus moves at a fast rate and has
concluded negotiations on more chapters than any other candidate country,
he said, adding that eleven chapters have already been completed.
Mr Verheugen expressed the hope that the accession negotiations will
contribute to the improvement of the climate for the solution of the Cyprus
problem. This may encourage the Turkish Cypriot side to participate in the
Cyprus negotiating team, he said.
In this way, accession will benefit both communities and it will be
possible to apply the acquis communautaire to the whole island, he
added.
The European Union Commissioner also said that he will visit Cyprus in
March. During his visit he will also meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf
Denktash.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/