Cyprus in Most Crucial Period: President

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, July 09, 2002

Cyprus in Most Crucial Period: President

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Cyprus' President Glafcos Clerides on Monday described current period as the most crucial for Cyprus since the direct talks for a settlement to the division of the country started in January this year.

Clerides made the remark at the first world symposium of Cypriotacademia, which was attended by some 100 Cypriot professors living and working in 11 countries.

Clerides said there is "no reason to be optimistic" at this stage of the ongoing direct talks, because no progress has been achieved due to the "intransigent position" of the Turkish side.

On the prospects of the European Union (EU) membership for Cyprus, he said he believed that "in spite of Turkish threats, there will be no problem and we shall join the European Union."

He added Cyprus' accession to the EU is expected to be concludedsuccessfully at the end of the year.

"Our course towards the EU is in its final stages and at the same time we are engaged in negotiations in an attempt to solve theCyprus question prior to accession," the president said.

The symposium, entitled "Cyprus in the 21st century: the role ofCypriot academia," provided a forum for reflection on ways to servethe interests of Cyprus.

The Mediterranean island has been divided into the Greek Cypriotand Turkish Cypriot side since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third after a failed pro-Athens coup.

The United Nations-sponsored peace talks began in mid-January this year with a view to finding a comprehensive settlement on the island. But no progress has been made so far.

Turkey and Turkish Cypriot side have insisted that the European Union should not admit Cyprus without a positive outcome in talks between the two sides, and Turkey has threatened to annex the northern Turkish Cypriot area if it happens.

Cyprus is leading the list of 10 applicant countries awaiting aninvitation from the European Union.

The EU summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, due to be held in December, is expected to announce the countries it wishes to inviteto join, after the European Commission issues its report on every applicant country in October.

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