Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-04-19

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

Wednesday, 19 April 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus/ EU course and efforts for a just political settlement run on parallel tracks
• [02] EU - Cyprus Joint Parliamentary Committee concludes meeting in Nicosia
• [03] Tersephanou Water Treatment Plant and Tersephanou - Nicosia Conveyor inaugurated
• [04] Cyprus Ambassador to the Hague awards medal to former Euro MP

[01] Cyprus/ EU course and efforts for a just political settlement run on parallel tracks

Addressing the 17th meeting of the EU - Cyprus Joint Parliamentary Committee held in Nicosia between 17-18 April, Mr. Kassoulides underlined that the Cyprus government seeks a solution based on the UN Security Council Resolutions and within the parameters set by them.

This solution, he added, should respect fundamental human rights for all Cypriot citizens and should be compatible with the acquis communautaire.

Referring to the conclusions of the Helsinki European Council, the Foreign Minister said that they have opened up new prospects and new hopes for the consolidation of peace in the Balkans and the Middle East.

Mr. Kassoulides made a special reference to paragraph 9B of the Helsinki conclusion, noting that it has given a strong impetus to the inclusion of Cyprus in the next phase of EU enlargement and that «it sends the message that a Cyprus settlement could facilitate accession but the continuation of the division of the island cannot obstruct membership».

«The possibility of refusing Cyprus/ accession, despite a successful accession course, its huge efforts and sacrifices towards harmonization with the acquis communitarian and its conduct vis-a-vis the various initiatives aiming at reaching a solution would be a serious blow to the consolidation of peace in the Middle East» he concluded.

[02] EU - Cyprus Joint Parliamentary Committee concludes meeting in Nicosia

Ambassador Leonardo Mathias, representing the Portuguese Presidency - in - Office of the Council of the European Union and Mr. Donato Chiarini, Head of the European Commission Delegation in Cyprus, representing the Europe Commission, addressed the JPC on the political situation in Cyprus and the current EU - Cyprus relations.

In a press statement, released yesterday, it was stressed that the relationship between the proximity talks in New York and the Helsinki European Council conclusions represent a useful joining of forces for the pursuit of dialogue and the search for peace. A process strongly supported by the Portuguese Presidency, which believes that a settlement of the Cyprus problem and the accession of Cyprus to the EU will benefit both communities on the island. The settlement is not a precondition for the completion of accession negotiations. At the moment Cyprus was the candidate country most advanced in the negotiation process with 15 chapters now provisionally closed. The EU had adopted a new financial support programme for Cyprus with 57 million Euros for the period 2000-2004.

The Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ioannis Kasoulides welcomed the Helsinki conclusions and made particular reference to paragraph 9B. He emphasised that Cyprus cannot be punished twice due to the intransigent attitude of Turkey.

He stressed the commitment of Cyprus to continue its positive attitude in the process under the UN auspices for finding a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem which should be in line with the acquis communautaire, the UN resolution on Cyprus and the internationally accepted human rights for all the Cypriots.

[03] Tersephanou Water Treatment Plant and Tersephanou - Nicosia Conveyor inaugurated

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Clerides pointed to the grave problem of water shortage faced by Cyprus stressing the importance and need of desalination plants and referred to the first such unit in operation at Dhekelia as from April 1, 1997.

Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Costas Themistocleous said that the capacity of the Treatment Plant is 60.000 cubic meters per day and its potential capacity 90.000 cubic meters and that the total cost of both projects is about 20 million Cyprus pounds (some 40 million US dollars).

The European Investment Bank and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development granted loans totaling 60 cent of the total cost of the project works.

As Mr. Themistocleous explained, "the Tersephanou Water Treatment Plants Reservoirs and Pumping Station are connected with the Dhekelia Desalination Plant and in the future it will also be connected with the Larnaca Desalination Plant currently under construction.

[04] Cyprus Ambassador to the Hague awards medal to former Euro MP

Speaking at the ceremony Mr. Zinon said that the medal was awarded to Mr. Bertens as a token of the profound appreciation of the government and the people of Cyprus for Mr. Berten's contribution in promoting Cyprus way to the EU at the European Parliament.

Moreover he added, the award constitutes the Cyprus government's recognition of Mr. Bertens' achievements in the European Parliament concerning issues on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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