GERMAN special envoy Detlev Graf Zu Rantzau is to visit Cyprus next week to discuss latest developments on the national problem and the country’s EU accession progress.
Speaking yesterday, German embassy spokesman Andreas Schroeder said that Zu Rantzau would in particular be discussing “recent developments after the decision not to deploy anti-aircraft missiles in Cyprus, and the events of the past three months.”
He added that the accession process and the overall situation in Cyprus would also be on the agenda, as would the continuing UN peace effort on the island.
Asked if the Ocalan affair would have any bearing on the envoy’s talks, Schroeder said that, “unfortunately the Ocalan affair is not helpful, but we hope that this problem will be solved in a certain way.”
The spokesman added that he hoped the Ocalan situation would not have a negative effect on the Cyprus question.
Zu Rantzau will arrive on Sunday, and meets President Glafcos Clerides on Monday morning. During his five-day stay, he will also have meetings with Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides and Cyprus’ chief EU negotiator George Vassiliou.
He will also meet foreign diplomats, including British High Commissioner David Madden and US Ambassador Kenneth Brill. In addition, the German envoy will meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and UN permanent representative Dame Ann Hercus.
Hercus yesterday met with President Glafcos Clerides for an hour in the framework of her shuttle talks initiative. In compliance with the media blackout ordered by Dame Ann, no statements were made after the meeting.
Meanwhile, Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides yesterday confirmed that US state department special representative on Cyprus Thomas Miller would visit Cyprus before March 15. He said Miller’s visit had been scheduled and confirmed before the Ocalan affair broke out, and that, although Miller would probably not be able to avoid the issue, his visit had nothing to do with the tension it had caused.
Stylianides also said that, although no date had yet been given for the visit, it was expected to take place before Cassoulides travels to Europe later in the month.
The government spokesman also hit out at Turkish attempts to pull Cyprus into its dispute with the Kurds, saying this was “propaganda”.
