Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-06-20

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRIOT FM - MEETING - BRUSSELS

[01] CYPRIOT FM - MEETING - BRUSSELS

Lillikas, who is in Brussels, had his first meetings since assuming office last week, with Cypriot Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection Marcos Kyprianou and EU High Commissioner for External Policy, Xavier Solana.

During his discussions, the Cyprus problem, the package of measures to support Turkish Cypriots and Turkeys obligations towards the EU were examined.

Speaking after meeting Rehn, Lillikas said they examined the financial protocol to support the Turkish Cypriots. The two sides concentrated on cooperation between the relevant services of the Commission and the Cyprus government in implementing the protocol.

Lillikas said that we believe that with good cooperation, prompt exchange of views and information the regulation will be able to be implemented more effectively to serve its aims which are the development of Turkish Cypriots and development of relations between the two communities to increase the aim of reunification.

We should be anticipating positive developments following todays meeting, the minister added.

Regarding the regulation for direct trade with the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus, on the basis of negotiations under the Luxembourg presidency and the COREPER decisions, Lillikas underlined that despite the efforts of the Luxembourg and Austrian presidencies, there has been no progress because there has been no positive stance on the Turkish Cypriots part.

The Cypriot Minister said we would like the overall package to be adopted and for this reason we asked Mr. Rehns support and contribution.

Rehn informed Lillikas that already the Finnish presidency, which will take over the EU presidency on 1st July, began dealing with the problem and will make efforts to solve it.

The Cypriot minister avoided predicting whether the Finnish presidency will succeed where the Austrian presidency failed. Within the framework of deliberations with the new presidency, Lillikas will meet his Finnish counterpart in Helsinki when the right date is found or during the next General Affairs Council on 19 July in Brussels.

Lillikas also informed Rehn on the latest developments following President Tassos Papadopoulos meeting in Paris with the UN Secretary-General, as well as efforts underway for discussions on a technical level with the representatives of the two leaders in Cyprus.

He said they also discussed UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambaris forthcoming visit to Cyprus. Lillikas said Rehn agrees that the effort should be to prepare a new round of talks and not just a discussion on everyday issues. The minister said Rehns view is that all these initiatives and regulations should lead to a solution and reunification and not the creation of two separate states.

During his meeting with Solana the two discussed international issues, (Iran) and the Cypriot Minister concentrated on Turkeys tactics to prevent Cyprus participation in programmes within the framework of cooperation between the EU and NATO.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article