EU's position on Cyprus' accession has not changed, said the Commissioner on Enlargement Mr Gunter Verheugen, addressing the 45th Plenary Session of the Committee of the Regions, held in Brussels on 3 July in the European Parliament. The Symposium was attended by representatives of local authorities of EU candidate countries.

Mr Verheugen reiterated that the solution of the Cyprus problem is not a precondition for accession. "Of course we all hope that there will be a solution, and we all help in that respect" he added. I want to emphasize that whatever happens, the timeframe of the enlargement will not be changed, and that the decision for Cyprus' accession will be made in December in Copenhagen, he concluded.

The representatives of local authorities of EU candidate countries had a discussion on the role of the Committee of the Regions and the responsibilities that derive from the enlargement.

Cyprus was represented by the President of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, Mayor of Nicosia, Mr. Michalakis Zampelas.

After welcoming the continuance of the dialogue between the Committee of the Regions and the local and regional authorities of the candidate countries, Mr Zampelas referred to the measures that Cypriot local authorities are taking, through their Unions, in order to "ensure that they follow the development process in preparing themselves for accession to the EU".

"However, there is still a clear need to intensify their efforts so as to assume the role they deserve in a 'Europe that is as close to the citizen as possible', he added.

Concluding, Mr Zampelas said that central governments must support local and regional authorities, for the benefit of the ordinary citizen.

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