Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-04-27

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

Thursday, 27 April 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] The Cyprus problem is at a crucial crossroads, says Kassoulides
• [02] Cyprus ratifies the revised European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage

[01] The Cyprus problem is at a crucial crossroads, says Kassoulides

The two ministers said close cooperation between them will continue and expressed the view that Cyprus' accession negotiations for European Union membership and the UN peace process should move on together and strengthen each other.

The two ministers met in Athens yesterday to coordinate efforts ahead of next week's meeting ,Mr.George Papandreou will have with his US and Turkish counterparts in New York and nearly a month before the resumption of UN-led talks on Cyprus.

The UN talks, which begin on 23 May in New York, Cyprus' accession course, Papandreou's meetings in the US on 2 May and preparatory work for Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides' visit to Athens on 18 May were the focus of discussions between the two ministers.

"We would like to see the US will (to solve the Cyprus question) expressed in a more effective manner," Papandreou said after the meeting, adding that this is a matter he will raise with Madeleine Albright and Ismail Cem in New York next week.

On his part Mr.Kasoulides said the Cyprus problem is at a crucial crossroads because of the ongoing EU membership talks and the renewed UN effort to find a settlement.

"We would like to see these two processes move on and progress, strengthen each other, and we should be careful that one does not create problems to the other," Kasoulides said.

Noting that past cooperation between Cyprus and Greece has been "exemplary", Kasoulides said "we must continue our close cooperation" and expressed Nicosia's gratitude for Athens' support.

"Progress in our accession course is not only due to our diligence and work but also to the firm backing we have from Greece and I am convinced that Cyprus, one way or another, will become an EU member with Greece's support, " Kasoulides said.

Replying to questions, Kasoulides said "the principle 'land for peace' applies to Cyprus too and the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta on the eastern coast is a key factor of the territorial issue."

[02] Cyprus ratifies the revised European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage

This Convention updates the 1969 Convention to take account of considerable changes affecting archaeological heritage over the last 20 years, with the development of major urban planning and large-scale engineering projects in most European countries.

It makes archaeological conservation and enhancement a key goal of urban and regional planning policies and promotes co-operation between archaeologists and town and regional planners.

It sets guidelines for funding excavation, research work and publication of research findings and for public access to archaeological sites.

It will enter into force for Cyprus on 27 October 2000.

Ambassador Christophoros Yiangou, Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the Council of Europe, handed the instrument of ratification of this text to Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Organization.

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

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