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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-06-14Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] SPOKESMAN - TURKEYIf Ankara is sincerely interested in the Turkish Cypriots and to lift their so called isolation, it should lift the reason which imposed and maintains this ``isolation`` which is the continued occupation of Cyprus northern third, Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis said.He also said that Cyprus returned from the EU General Affairs Council in Luxembourg satisfied and in a dignified manner. Asked if Cyprus will exercise its right of veto in the event Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, the Spokesman said it is advisable not to use with so much ease the word `veto```. He explained that it is Cyprus inalienable right, it is a choice but surely I cannot say if we will exercise veto at a specific time or not. Vetoes are not announced beforehand. Nor they are excluded. Referring to the results of the General Affairs Council, where EU member states called on all who wish a smooth European course for Turkey ``to direct towards Ankara their advice and actions, so that it meets its obligations the soonest possible, Pashiardis said the Luxembourg decision was not a triumph. ``It was however a positive development, a satisfactory conclusion, a compromise, if you want, which surely did not prevent securing some fundamental demands from our side, and which undoubtedly sends some serious warnings towards Turkey``, he added. [02] LILLIKAS - FOREIGN MINISTRYNew Minister of Foreign Affairs George Lillikas said he felt a huge responsibility taking over from George Iacovou, who has the richest diplomatic experience in the country, the longest total term in office at the specific Ministry and has offered much to the political and diplomatic struggles for a settlement of the Cyprus problem.Taking over the Ministry on Wednesday, after a government reshuffle last week, Lillikas said he intended to utilise the experience of Iacovou and asked for the staff`s assistance in the new struggles that await Cyprus both within and outside the EU towards reaching a solution of the Cyprus question. Handing over the portfolio, Iacovou said the Ministry was a temple of assertion and struggle for the rights of the Cypriot people, and called on the new Minister of Foreign Affairs to continue the tradition and always put Cyprus first. [03] GREECE - EU - TURKEYSpokesman for the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs George Koumoutsakos said that the text adopted by the EU-Turkey Association Council "is positive towards matters of Greek and Cypriot interest."Asked if Turkey`s EU course would be cut short if Ankara did not implement the protocol extending its customs union with the EU to the ten new member states by the end of 2006, Koumoutsakos said in such a case new chapters in Turkey`s accession negotiations could not be opened. He added that "this affects the negotiations as a whole, without meaning that the accession negotiations would cease." Koumoutsakos pointed out the necessity for Turkey to meet its obligations towards all EU member states deriving from its accession course. [04] CHINESE OFFICIAL - CYPRUSFirst Vice Chairman of the National People`s Congress of the People`s Republic of China Wang Zhaoguo, who is on a three-day official visit to Cyprus heading a delegation of the Congress, said that China supports the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.Speaking through an interpreter after a meeting with Cypriot House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias, Wang said they exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and reached common agreement, adding that the cooperation of the two countries in economic issues, tourism, trade and culture will enhance bilateral relations and contribute to world peace, stability and development. On the contacts between the parliaments of Cyprus and China, Wang said they are ``one of the driving forces that promote the development of our bilateral relations,`` adding that there are regular high level contacts between the two countries. Christofias said the Chinese official assured him that his country will continue to support the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the Republic of Cyprus at the UN Security Council and other international organisations. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |