Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-05-03

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

Thursday, 3 May 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides in Athens on official visit
• [02] UK reiterates support for settlement process

[01] President Clerides in Athens on official visit

Speaking at a joint press conference after talks in Athens with President Clerides, Mr Stefanopoulos stressed that Cyprus remains a primary issue of Greek foreign policy.

"Our attempts to improve relations with Turkey does not change in the slightest our foreign policy position that the question of Cyprus is a top priority," he said.

Mr Stefanopoulos called on the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to undertake an initiative that would allow the resumption of the UN-led proximity talks on the basis of Security Council resolutions.

President Clerides, who flew to Athens yesterday on a three day official visit at the invitation of his Greek counterpart, said he was, as always, assured of Greece's continuous solidarity, adding that Greece stands firmly by the island in its efforts to find a peaceful political settlement and become an EU member.

He added that Greece will continue to work with all its strength for a solution of the Cyprus problem and the Republic's accession.

President Clerides told the press that they had had an "excellent" meeting and discussions were "positive and friendly."

Moreover, speaking at a formal dinner he hosted in honour of President Clerides yesterday evening, Mr Stephanopoulos said that the whole of the political leadership in Greece would make every effort to contribute to the struggle for a free and independent Cyprus and added that the international community is expected to make moves towards a permanent solution after the parliamentary elections in Cyprus on 27 May.

President Glafcos Clerides was yesterday presented with the Gold Key of the city of Athens by the Mayor of Athens Demetris Avramopoulos.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, which took place at the Athens Town Hall, President Clerides said that the Key "will remind us that the gates of the metropolis of Hellenism will always remain open for Cypriot Hellenism" and noted that the award goes to Cyprus as a whole "for its contribution to the struggles of the Greek nation".

President Clerides also met with the Archbishop of Greece Christodoulos, who said that a joint statement to be issued during the forthcoming visit of Pope John Paul II to Greece is expected to include references to the Cyprus problem and the island's European Union (EU) accession course.

[02] UK reiterates support for settlement process

British Foreign Secretary, Keith Vaz, in a written answer to a question in the House of Commons yesterday said the British government regrets the current lack of progress in the talks but is confident that the UN will find a way to move the process forward.

"To that end we will continue to urge all those involved to be fully and positively engaged in the search for a solution", he added.

Mr Vaz said Cyprus is an important partner for the UK.

"Our relationship is underpinned by common membership of the Commonwealth, Cyprus' EU candidacy, our close trading links, significant tourism and frequent contacts at ministerial and official level", he said.

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

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