Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-04-12

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Friday, 12 April 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides meets with Britain's Minister of State for Europe
• [02] Britain backs the two communities in their effort to reach a solution
• [03] Cyprus Government denies information for a tri-zonal solution to the Cyprus problem.
• [04] Cyprus' new ambassador presents credentials

[01] President Clerides meets with Britain's Minister of State for Europe

In a statement to the press after the breakfast, Mr Hain commended the courage and leadership abilities which President Clerides is showing in the talks for a solution to the Cyprus problem. Mr Hain also spoke of President Clerides' vision and determination adding that these were necessary ingredients needed at the talks, because this was a marvelous opportunity to solve the Cyprus problem.

Asked whether he realized the same determination in the Turkish-Cypriot side, the British official said there was determination in both sides.

Moreover, the Government Spokesman, Mr Michalis Papapetrou, invited to comment on the meeting of President Clerides with Mr Hain, said: "The meeting took place in a very good atmosphere. I formed the impression that the British Minister fully realizes the constructive role that President Clerides is playing in the talks and has promised that Britain would intensify its efforts, in order to achieve a solution of the Cyprus problem, within the timeframe set by the Security Council, which will meet the needs, the demands and the interests of Cyprus people as they have been specified by various resolutions. This is the impression I got from this meeting."

[02] Britain backs the two communities in their effort to reach a solution

In a statement to the press, after the lunch, Mr Kasoulides welcomed the British official, "who is currently visiting Cyprus with the main purpose to assist in the current efforts that are taking place to resolve the problem of Cyprus and talk also about Cyprus' accession to the European Union."

"Of course also bilateral issues came up and we also discussed about the future of Europe and the current debating convention", Mr Kasoulides said, adding that they had a fruitful discussion and exchange of views.

On his part, Mr Hain referred to Mr Kasoulides as "a good friend of his, a good friend of Britain and a very highly regarded Minister in Europe. We are all looking very much forward to the island of Cyprus joining the EU and we are working very hard to achieve that together with everybody concerned", Mr Hain said.

"I was encouraged by my discussions with the Foreign Minister, the President and also with Mr Denktash and Mr de Soto. There is a real will in Cyprus in both communities to seek and reach a settlement and my message is: 'Britain is right behind you.' More courage, more determination, more willingness to compromise and a give-and-take is needed. The clock is ticking. The crucial decisions will be made at the European Council meeting in Copenhagen in the middle of December, that's eight months away and the time for intensive negotiations is now, in the weeks and the months ahead.

I commend President Clerides for his ideas and his own determination and I welcome the assurances given to me this morning by Mr Denktash that he was determined to make a success of this enterprise.

So I wish Cyprus all the best, I look forward to Cyprus joining the European Union on time, as a united island and I'm very happy to have been here", Mr Hain concluded.

[03] Cyprus Government denies information for a tri-zonal solution to the Cyprus problem.

The Government has never submitted such proposals and the said report has nothing to do with reality, Mr Papapetrou concluded.

[04] Cyprus' new ambassador presents credentials

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

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article