12/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - Luxembourg Socialist Jacques Poos has written to the Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who had singled him out for criticism (in a letter addressed to all the members of the EP's Foreign Affairs Committee) over his report on Cyprus that was adopted at the last plenary session in Strasbourg (see EUROPE of 6 September, p.6). The former Luxembourg Foreign Minister explained that since their professional relations were cordial, he trusted that the discourteous letter in question had been the initiative of an overzealous official. Mr Poos formally denies ever having a private connection with Cyprus (alleged by Mr Cem in his letter), and said that he had never expressed opposition to Turkey's joining the EU (if it met the relevant conditions). Contrary to Mr Cem's assertions, Mr Poos says that his resolution does not weaken the mission of the Secretary General of the United Nations, but expressly confirms it. Mr Poos echoed the words of Kofi Annan that if Turkey were to accept this position, the political problem of Cyprus could be resolved within a year.