Substantive negotiations on Cyprus’ accession to the European Union were conducted successfully between the Head of the Negotiating Team for Cyprus’ Accession to the European Union, Mr George Vassiliou, and representatives of the 15 EU member-states at the EU-Cyprus Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels on 19 April 1999.

Mr Vassiliou presented Cyprus’ position on 4 chapters:

1) Telecommunications - a chapter which had remained open during the previous stage of negotiations under the Austrian Presidency.

2) Statistics

3) Consumer and Health Protection

4) Fisheries

Addressing the representatives of the «15», Mr Vassiliou said the Cyprus Government had decided to withdraw its initial request for a one-year extension for complete liberalisation of the telecommunications sector.

By 1.1.2003, which is the tentative target date for the next phase of enlargement, the telecommunications sector will be fully harmonised with the acquis communautaire as regards technological development and the standard of services.

Mr Vassiliou presented the Cyprus Government’s positions on the chapter on Statistics, which meet the requirements of the acquis and make the Cyprus Department of Statistics a more independent organisation as regards the provision of data and research. The Department of Statistics will acquire an upgraded co-ordinationg role. At the same time a Statistical Advisory Council will be set up comprising members from the public and private sector. Its objective will be to achieve better co-ordination and co-operation as regards the provision of services.

Mr Vassiliou also presented the work the Cyprus Government has done in the past few months with respect to the chapter on Consumer and Health Protection. This work covers harmonisation of legislation on compliance with EU specifications which will be to the benefit of the public as regards both protection of health and the safeguarding of their financial interests. With this legislative harmonisation, Cyprus is ready to implement EU policy well before the set timeframe.

Concerning the chapter on Fisheries, Mr Vassiliou expressed the willigness of the Cyprus Government to undertake all its responsibilities in a sector that is of great importance to the EU itself which has a large fishing fleet. On the basis of the positions Mr Vassiliou will present, Cyprus’ small fishing fleet and the better marketing of fishing products will be safeguarded.

The representatives of the EU member-states agreed that the chapter on Statistics does not require further negotiation. With respect to the other three chapters, the member-states decided to assess the data presented by the Cypriot side and prepare their common positions.