President Of European Parliament Praises Cyprus For EU Accession Bid Progress

by Lorys Charalambous, Tax-News.com, Cyprus

10 May 2002

Speaking during a three day visit to Cyprus, President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox endorsed Cyprus's efforts to address areas of concern prior to EU accession, but stressed the need for an urgent resolution to the division of the island.

Following a meeting with Greek Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides, Mr Cox told journalists that with 27 of the 29 negotiating chapters for EU accession already closed, the low tax jurisdiction is well on track to complete the process by the summer, and to join the European Union in 2004.

Reunification talks between the Greek Cypriot government and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash have been underway since January, and the original aim was to reach an agreement by June.

However, the Turkish side is insistent regarding the recognition of two sovereign states on the island, and has threatened to annex the occupied northern third of the island if Cyprus accedes to the European Union without a political settlement on this issue. As a result negotiations have stalled. According to reports, UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan is due to visit next week in order to push for a breakthrough.

On Thursday, the European Parliament chief echoed the sentiments of the United Nations, which called on Mr Denktash earlier this month to cooperate more fully in the process.

'I would publicly place on record the persistent commitment of the President (Glafcos Clerides) to seek a comprehensive political settlement,' Mr Cox told reporters.

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