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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-10-23
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
Tuesday, 23 October 2001
CONTENTS
- [01] Gunter Verheugen: EU enlargement would be inconceivable without
Cyprus
[01] Gunter Verheugen: EU enlargement would be inconceivable without
Cyprus
European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Commissioner Mr Gunter
Verheugen said, in an interview to the German Sunday newspaper Frankfurter
Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung on 21 October, that EU enlargement would be
inconceivable without Cyprus, primarily because of the position adopted by
the Greek Parliament. "There will either be an enlargement with Cyprus or
there will be no speedy enlargement at all," he said.
The EU Commissioner pointed out that the accession of a united Cyprus to
the European Union would offer great advantages to Turkey and the Turkish
Cypriots. At present there is not much anybody can do except work in the
direction of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots to resume the UN-led peace
talks on Cyprus, he said.
Mr Verheugen said that "the window of opportunity is still open" but warned
that it is slowly starting to close. "Accession negotiations with Cyprus
are progressing well without anyone thinking of hindering them", he
added.
Membership talks with Cyprus are likely to be concluded by the second half
of 2002, which will be "the moment of truth," he said.
The EU Commissioner also said that there is no other political issue that
the EU is so involved with, than the Cyprus problem.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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