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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-12-01
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
Friday, 1 December 2000
CONTENTS
- [01] Government Spokesman's briefing
- [02] Greek Foreign Minister meets with UN Secretary General's Special
Adviser on Cyprus
[01] Government Spokesman's briefing
Replying to a question about a statement by the UN Secretary General Mr
Kofi Annan that he expects the two Cypriot leaders to meet in Geneva on 26
January, the Government Spokesman Mr Michalis Papapetrou said on 29
November:
"The UN Secretary General's statement is just a message to Mr Denktash not
to implement his threat (about abandoning the talks) but go to Geneva for
the continuation of the talks. I would like to say that I regard the
statement made by Mr Kofi Annan as positive and stress that the two parties
should continue the effort, not with a view to placing new obstacles to the
procedure, as Mr. Denktash tries to do, but to open up the way in the
direction of finding a solution to the problem".
In reply to another question Mr Papapetrou said that he agrees with the
view that the Cyprus problem is at a critical juncture, but at the same
time the Government believes that there is now increased international
interest in Cyprus. Moreover the European Union acts as a catalyst to
developments in the Cyprus problem and after the Helsinki European Council,
Turkey finds itself before some real dilemmas. Faced with these dilemmas,
Turkey either makes ill-advised outbursts, or attempts at blackmailing
world opinion because it realises that the situation is becoming more
difficult for her.
[02] Greek Foreign Minister meets with UN Secretary General's Special
Adviser on Cyprus
The UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Mr Alvaro de Soto,
briefed yesterday the Greek Foreign Minister Mr George Papandreou on the
latest developments in the Cyprus problem. During the meeting, the two men
had the chance to exchange views on the progress made in the 5th round of
the UN-sponsored talks on Cyprus.
Mr Papandreou reiterated that Greece supports the UN efforts to find an
overall solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the United Nations
resolutions.
For his part, Mr de Soto said he had a useful meeting with Mr Papandreou,
during which they discussed matters concerning the process as well as the
substance of the talks. He also said that he would continue his contacts
with visits to Ankara and Nicosia.
Mr de Soto noted that the UN Secretary General invited the two sides for a
sixth round of talks in late January in Geneva, and expressed the hope that
the talks would continue.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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