US Urges Cyprus' Two Sides to Seize 'Historical Opportunity' for Solution

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 05, 2002

US Urges Cyprus' Two Sides to Seize 'Historical Opportunity' for Solution

Visiting US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman Wednesday in Nicosia urged Cyprus' two sides to seize a "historical opportunity" for a settlement of the island's problem.

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Visiting US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman Wednesday in Nicosia urged Cyprus' two sides to seize a "historical opportunity" for a settlement of the island's problem.

Grossman arrived here earlier in the day for one-day visit following his tour to Greece and Turkey.

After his meeting with Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides, Grossman expressed strong support of his government to Cyprus' accession to the European Union (EU) and to the efforts exerted by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan for a Cyprus settlement.

He said he believes that there is an opportunity for a Cyprus solution, so all the concerned sides, including the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides as well as the Turkish and Greek governments, should seize the chance.

Grossman reiterated that there are many challenges and many difficulties as well, but "we think this is a time of historical opportunity."

During his short stay in the island, Grossman also visited the northern Turkish Cypriot area.

Cyprus, divided into the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides since 1974, is one of the ten countries expected to join the European Union in 2004.

The final decision on the EU enlargement will be taken at the EU's Copenhagen summit slated for Dec. 12-13.

The international community is pressing Cyprus' two sides to reach an initial solution agreement prior to the EU summit.

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