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Thursday, 19 December 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-12-09Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PAPADOPOULOS - EU - TURKEYCypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos has described Turkey`s proposal to open one port and one airport to Cypriot vessels and airplanes a "disorientation" move, made ahead of an EU meeting on Monday to discuss recommendations relating to Turkey`s refusal to meet its European obligations.Turkey offered on Thursday to open one port and one airport to the Republic of Cyprus, in exchange for the opening of an illegal airport in Cyprus` Turkish-occupied areas and the operation of the port of Famagusta, also in the occupied northern part. The Turkish proposal, put forward at the last minute, has not received any support, he said, adding that ``it was obvious to everybody that this was a disorientation move,`` Papadopoulos said in statements on his return to Cyprus from China where he paid an official visit. The Cypriot President said Monday`s EU General Affairs Council will discuss Turkey`s EU bid. Papadopoulos added the objective is to find common ground so that a common decision is reached, as decisions must be unanimous. ``Turkey`s obligations to the EU are separate and independent from the Cyprus problem and Turkey has to meet these obligations,`` Papadopoulos said, adding that ``there can be no link between Turkey`s obligations and developments in Cyprus.`` He also pointed out that ``even if the Cyprus problem were solved, Turkey would still have to comply with these obligations.`` Commenting on the climate at yesterday`s deliberations at the Security Council on a draft resolution for the renewal of UNFICYP`s mandate that expires on December 15, Papadopoulos recalled that since 2005 the government`s policy has been to engage all five permanent members, and not only the US and Britain as in the past, in every new effort of the UN. He this has been communicated to France, Russia and China. President Papadopoulos said he was satisfied with the outcome of his visit to China, as bonds of friendship were renewed and business opportunities explored. Cyprus, an EU member-state, has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. Turkey, a country aspiring to join the EU, refuses to implement the EU Turkey Customs Union Protocol by opening its ports and airports to Cyprus. [02] US PRESIDENT - CYPRUSThe United States has long believed that achieving a just and lasting settlement on Cyprus is vital for the US and Cyprus as well as the security of the region, US President George Bush has said. Recieving the credentials of Cyprus` new Ambassador to Washington Andreas Kakouris, Bush noted that ``Cyprus has remained divided for too long, adding that United States continues to support the efforts of the United Nations to reunify the island as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.`` ``Such a negotiated settlement would benefit all Cypriots and further regional stability and cooperation,`` Bush noted.Bush praised the ``strong and productive relationship between the USA and Cyprus, noting that ``official cooperation between our two governments is exemplary.`` He also expressed appreciation that in July 2005, Cyprus was the first EU member state to sign a Ship Boarding Agreement with the United States under the Proliferation Security Initiative. The President. Presending its credentials, Kakouris reaffirmed ``the importance given to further developing the relations, the co-operation and the friendship between our two countries and people.`` Referring to the continued Turkish occupation and the division of the island, the Ambassador underlined the commitment of President Papadopoulos to a negotiated settlement. ``The Government will continue to work constructively to achieve a viable, comprehensive settlement that reunifies Cyprus, its people, its territory,its society as well as its economy and institutions in a functional, bizonal, bicommunal federation; a settlement that will take into consideration the legitimate concerns of both communities in Cyprus,`` he added. [03] SECURITY COUNCIL - UNFICYPThe UN Security Council has completed its deliberations ahead of the adoption of a resolution for the renewal of the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), that expires December 15th. The Representatives of Greece and Cyprus maintain objections regarding the adoption of UN Secretary - General`s report on the UN operations in Cyprus and a reference to the examination for further adjustments to UNFICYP`s mandate, force levels in the first quarter of 2007.Briefing the Security Council, UN Head of Mission in Cyprus Michael Moller stressed that UNFICYP should remain at its current levels, adding that the force has already been reduced sufficiently. During the briefing, Council members expressed interest in the implementation of the July 8 agreement, reached by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, on the start of discussion of issues affecting the day-to-day life of the people and concurrently consideration of substantive issues. Greece`s Permanent Representative to the UN Adamantios Vasilakis described Annan`s report as ``wholly inappropriate both in terms and terminology`` and made special reference to the inclusion of a reference to the so-called ``isolation`` of the Turkish Cypriot community in the Annan report. ``As far as substance in concerned, Turkish Cypriot complaints about their purported `isolation` is a well disguised concerted effort to afford an illegal entity international recognition,`` Vasilakis noted. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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