Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-04-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS - ANNIVERSARY

[02] PAPADOPOULOS - T/C

[03] FM - EU - T/C

[01] CYPRUS - ANNIVERSARY

The armed anti-colonial struggle, which lasted four years, led to the establishment of the Cyprus Republic in 1960. Three powers then guaranteed the Republic`s independence, Britain, Greece and Turkey.

Celebrations throughout the free areas of the Republic culminated today with church and memorial services and various events to mark the launch of the uprising campaign against the British colonial rule.

The President of Cyprus Tassos Papadopoulos attended the church service at St Johns Cathedral in Nicosia, the world`s last divided capital.

In statements to the journalists, the Cypriot President praised the four-year (1955-1959) anti-colonial struggle and paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and independence.

We pay tribute to this day that marked the begin of the anti-colonial struggle, a struggle that transformed our people to heroes. We remember today those who fought and especially those who sacrificed their lives so that we can enjoy today our independence, he said.

The Cypriot President also clarified that the anti colonial struggle was a struggle against the British rule and not against the Turkish Cypriots.

Later on, the Cypriot President attended the memorial service at the Imprisoned Graves for those who lost their lives for the sake of Cyprus` freedom.

The Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004, has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory, ignoring numerous United Nations resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

[02] PAPADOPOULOS - T/C

We work constantly, we find ways, we put forward measures to achieve the closest cooperation with the Turkish Cypriots, thus contributing to their economic growth, but always bearing in mind that all measures aim to the financial integration and the reunification of our country and economy, he stressed.

In statements today, the President said that the international community is realizing that Turkish claims about a so called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, are merely a myth which aims to upgrade the Turkish occupation regime in the northern areas of Cyprus.

Asked if there have been any reactions regarding the new package of measures for the financial support of the Turkish Cypriots, submitted Saturday by the Cypriot government to the EU, the President said that there have been no reactions yet.

There are not reactions so far. Discussions continue. This is the third discussion held on the issue and we hope that consideration will be shown, he said.

The President was also asked on Turkeys vetos regarding Cyprus participation in international organizations.

The President described Ankaras stance as unacceptable.

This is an unacceptable tactic by a country that wishes to become a member of the EU. In our declaration for Turkeys accession course, we have clearly stated that our position will depend every time on Turkeys stance towards us and the other international organizations, he pointed out.

Turkeys stance against Cyprus participation in a series of international organizations is an old issue, the President said, adding that Turkey has been preventing for three years now, Cyprus participation in international organizations because the charter of these organizations provide for unanimity.

Turkey has been vetoing Cyprus membership in international organizations, arrangements and treaties, such as the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Open Skies Treaty, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Furthermore, Turkey does not consent to the expansion of the EU NATO dialogue with the participation of Cyprus (and Malta).

[03] FM - EU - T/C

The new proposals were submitted by the Cypriot Foreign Minister George Lillikas on the sidelines of the Informal EU Foreign Ministers Meeting that took place in Bremen, Germany.

In statements during a press conference he held in Germany, Lillikas pointed out that the government of Cyprus had submitted in the past various proposals for the financial aid of the Turkish Cypriots which it had unilaterally implemented.

In addition to those measures, I submitted to the German EU Presidency and the Commission proposals and ideas, which the government of Cyprus wishes to promote and implement unilaterally with the aim to help the reunification of Cyprus, he said.

Lillikas, who met yesterday with his German counterpart Frank Walter Steinmeier and the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn, said that the government of Cyprus is glad to see the per capita income of the Turkish Cypriots being increased almost by 300% in the past three years due to the measures that the government has implemented in the past three years unilaterally as well as the measures implemented in cooperation with the European Commission.

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