19/03/2003 17:16
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament has approved Cyprus’ accession in the European Union with 57 votes in favour, 1 against and 2 abstentions.
As the CNA reports, Cyprus Foreign Minister, Giorgos Iacovou, has welcomed the island’s final approval that signals the end of a long effort; “This is the best result any of the ten acceding countries has managed to get”, he said.
Mr. Iacovou said that Cyprus is examining all possibilities in relation to its accession in the EU and stressed that island’s full accession in the EU in May 2004 will end successfully.
Cyprus rapporteur’ s, Jacques Poos, recommendation on Cyprus was incorporated in the general report on enlargement, while the report also includes the recommendations to the Parliament by rapporteurs dealing with the ten candidate countries.
On his report Mr. Poos said that he was pleased with the outcome of the vote and pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, is the main responsible for the failure of the UN peace talks in The Hague.
Mr. Poos also noted that the government of the Republic of Cyprus is the only legitimate government in the island, stressing that no other state recognises Northern Cyprus, apart from Turkey. In case of a Cyprus settlement though, he added, the EU Council must negotiate adjustments, as there is a need for a transitional period for the Turkish Cypriots.
As the CNA reports, Cyprus Foreign Minister, Giorgos Iacovou, has welcomed the island’s final approval that signals the end of a long effort; “This is the best result any of the ten acceding countries has managed to get”, he said.
Mr. Iacovou said that Cyprus is examining all possibilities in relation to its accession in the EU and stressed that island’s full accession in the EU in May 2004 will end successfully.
Cyprus rapporteur’ s, Jacques Poos, recommendation on Cyprus was incorporated in the general report on enlargement, while the report also includes the recommendations to the Parliament by rapporteurs dealing with the ten candidate countries.
On his report Mr. Poos said that he was pleased with the outcome of the vote and pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, is the main responsible for the failure of the UN peace talks in The Hague.
Mr. Poos also noted that the government of the Republic of Cyprus is the only legitimate government in the island, stressing that no other state recognises Northern Cyprus, apart from Turkey. In case of a Cyprus settlement though, he added, the EU Council must negotiate adjustments, as there is a need for a transitional period for the Turkish Cypriots.
Related Articles
