Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-01-22

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRUS QUESTION

[02] FM - EU - DIRECT TRADE

[03] EU MINISTERS - CYPRUS - MEETING

[01] PRESIDENT - CYPRUS QUESTION

Receiving the credentials of the new Ambassador of Hungary to Cyprus Csaba Lovro, Papadopoulos also noted Turkeys refusal to implement the Ankara Protocol with regard to Cyprus, indicating that the reviews which will take place at the end of 2007, 2008 and 2009 may lead to further measures by the European Council, if Turkey continues not to implement the Additional Protocol of the Ankara Agreement and does not normalize relations and recognize all members of the European Union.

ิhe Hungarian Ambassador, presenting his credentials, said that from the very beginning Hungary has been firmly in support of efforts aimed at solving the Cyprus issue through peaceful dialogue.

A comprehensive, lasting and just solution can be attained through negotiations under the UN auspices, in line with the relevant Security Council resolutions and by the agreement of the parties concerned, in conformity with the EU principles. Hungary plays an active role in UN Peace-keeping operations and will continue to contribute to the activity of UNFICYP, he said.

Furthermore he said that Cyprus and Hungarys accession to the EU on 1st May 2004 marks the commencement of a new era in the life of our countries as well as in our bilateral relations, adding that EU membership has elevated our bilateral relations to a new level.

He noted that Hungary and Cyprus have cordial and balanced bilateral relations, the high-level political dialogue is regular and said he expected a number of important visits to take place in 2007.

He pledged during his term in office to pay special attention to the advancement of economic and trade relations, adding that ``I attach equal importance to furthering our cultural relations.

He said in the past few years, tens of thousands of Hungarians have visited Cyprus. Hungarians living permanently in your country, Cypriots residing in Hungary and the friendship societies founded by them have given rise to the ever more important civil diplomacy, which is an indispensable part of the official relations between our countries, he added.

Replying, Papadopoulos referred to the excellent relations between the two countries, noting Hungarys continued participation in UNFICYP is greatly appreciated by the Cypriot people.

On the Cyprus question, he stressed that the government remains committed to the reunification of Cyprus under a bizonal, bicommunal, federal solution of the Cyprus problem, as set out in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The reunification of Cyprus means reunification of the islands territory, society, economy and institutions, he added.

Referring to the Annan plan, he said that the plan was rejected by the Greek Cypriots because it did not provide for true reunification of Cyprus; on the contrary, it clearly provided for the perpetuation of the divisive results of the Turkish invasion of 1974 and the continuing occupation.

This is why the Turkish side readily accepted the Annan Plan, albeit with the vote of Turkish settlers who were transferred to Cyprus after the invasion, he added.

He stressed that it is thus of utmost importance that in a new UN effort, the objective should be a Cyprus settlement that would serve exclusively the interests of the people of Cyprus as a whole and not the interests of third countries such as Turkey.

With regard to the implementation of the 8 July 2006 Agreement, between himself and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Papadopoulos said that we are looking forward to the commencement of a meaningful process which would allow for thorough preparation of the ground, on which basis the good offices of the UN Secretary-General could be fully resumed, aiming at a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Referring to Turkish Cypriots, he said that the government far from causing the so-called `economic isolation` of the Turkish Cypriots, on the contrary it has effectively supported the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community.

The so-called economic `isolation` of the Turkish Cypriots is a myth, which aims at political objectives, i.e. the upgrading, of the secessionist entity. This is why recently the Turkish side has stopped talking about `economic` isolation and is now promoting the slogan of `international` isolation, the President indicated.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.

[02] FM - EU - DIRECT TRADE

He also said that the issue of having the fenced area of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta returned to its lawful inhabitants has not been removed from consultations, recalling an EU decision on a package providing for the opening of Famagusta port and the return of the fenced area.

Speaking to the press before his departure for Brussels to participate in today`s EU Foreign Ministers meeting, Lillikas said that the text to be adopted without discussion is the text agreed at the General Affairs Council on December 11 2006.

[03] EU MINISTERS - CYPRUS - MEETING

The Ministers, who met Sunday in Nicosia for the EU Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting entitled EU Mediterranean Agriculture and New Challenges, discussed issues concerning problems caused by drought, as well as the ongoing review of the Common Agriculture Policy in the fields of fruit and vegetables and the wine sector, Euro-Mediterranean relations and negotiations at the World Trade Organisation.

Agriculture Ministers of Cyprus, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Slovenia met in Cyprus to ascertain the common problems and concerns as regards the proposed amendments of the EU in the Mediterranean products and determining common positions for the future of the EU agricultural policy.

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