NEW YORK.- by Apostolos Zoupaniotis
Cyprus Government Spokesman, Kypros Chrysostomidis, in an exclusive interview to Greek News states that the accession Treaty of Cyprus with the EU that is going to be signed by President Tassos Papadopoulos, in Athens, on April 16, concludes the first decisive stage of the European road.

Replying to a question about the recent report of the UN Secretary General, on his good offices mission, Mr Chrysostomidis said that there is a universal condemnation of Mr Denktash’s attitude and he expressed hope that bot the Security Council and the Kofi Annan will continue to be seized with the Cyprus problem.

Finally, he sends through the pages of Greek News his greetings to the Greek American Community and especially the Cypriots of the U.S., stating that the Republic of Cyprus counts very much on the support of the Greeks and Cypriots abroad particularly those in the United States and express profound thanks for their solidarity.

Question: What April 16 means for Cyprus?

Chrysostomides: April 16 is a historic date for Cyprus since, as we know, the accession treaty is going to be signed by the President of the Republic Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos in Athens, thus concluding the first decisive stage of the process towards the European Union. Cyprus is proud to belong to Europe, it has been part of Europe traditionally, historically and culturally since many-many centuries and the official joining of the EU fills Cypriots with joy and hope for a better future.

Question: Kofi Annan’s report was issued last week. Do you think that the Greek Cypriot side and the Cypriot Government are vindicated with this report?

Chrysostomides: Of course we are disappointed because no solution could be found in The Hague due to the intransigence of Mr. Denktash. However, we are satisfied that in the Annan’s report, the circumstances and the attitude of Denktash and of the Turkish side generally, are depicted. We believe that there is a universal condemnation of this attitude including among other things making known to the world that a continued illegal occupation and illegal administration exist in the occupied zone in Cyprus. The whole world is thus concentrating on the process towards a solution based, as the Secretary General said, certainly on realities of international law and realities of international politics that necessarily exclude the legitimization of the illegality today and to giving a new hope for a viable and lasting solution of the Cyprus problem. We hope that the Secretary General’s good offices and the Security Council will continue to be seized with the Cyprus problem and this is the only way through which a solution will be sought and a solution will be found eventually in the Cyprus problem. That is, the Cyprus problem since Cyprus is an independent state can only be discussed within the framework of the United Nations as stipulated in the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

Question: How does the Government see the improvement of the bilateral relations with the United States?

Chrysostomides: Cyprus has traditionally had very good bilateral relations with the United States. Despite occasional differences of opinion, I believe that the relations are at a very-very high level, continue to getting closer and hopefully the United States will exert the necessary pressure on Turkey to realize that it is to the benefit of all to achieve a solution of the Cyprus problem.

Question: Also a personal message to the Greek American Community and the Cypriots of America in particular.

Chrysostomides: My warmest greetings from Cyprus. Let us all work together in concert for the benefit of the prevalence of justice, principles of international law and of international politics and human rights so that we shall all be able to celebrate the reunification of our country based on a lasting, viable and workable solution within the European Union. Let’s all look forward for a brighter future for every Cypriot whether here or abroad.

We count very much on the support of the Greeks and Cypriots abroad particularly those in the United States. We express profound thanks for their solidarity and struggle for the liberation of our country and the improvement of the relation between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus.