Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 09-10-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] SPOKESMAN - TURKEY

[02] DIVERSITY DAY - CYPRUS

[03] HUMAN RIGHTS - SEMINAR

[01] SPOKESMAN - TURKEY

``The statements made by Davutoglou especially after meetings with EU officials are provocative and unacceptable,`` Stephanou said, adding that ``through these statements appears an arrogance of a country that has unhindered violates the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of a member-state of the UN, the EU and other international institutions, the Republic of Cyprus.``

Turkey, which seeks EU membership, occupies since 1974 Cyprus northern part, refuses to comply with numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of its troops from Cyprus. Ankara does not recognise the government of Cyprus and has so far refused to meet its EU obligations towards the Union and Cyprus, by normalizing relations with Nicosia and opening its ports and airports to Cypriot flagged vessels and aircraft.

``This attitude should concern the international community and especially the EU of which Turkey seeks to become a member, its member-states, the European Commission and its President,`` Stephanou added.

The Spokesman noted ``that Turkey has time until the coming December to change its unacceptable stance, to follow a positive policy, above all to help itself, and fulfill its obligations it undertook towards the EU and its member-states, including the Republic of Cyprus``.

Otherwise, he added, ``the EU and its member-states should react because Turkey must realize that the Union cannot tolerate the constant mockery and should proceed taking measures for the implementation of its own conclusions.``

The Spokesman noted that the only way for Turkey to assist its EU bid is to help the ongoing UN-backed effort for a solution to the Cyprus problem, while concurrently the EU should insist on the fulfillment of its own decisions.

Replying to a question on how Cyprus will react in case that Turkey fails to implement its obligations towards Cyprus by December, Stephanou said that Cyprus` National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem, has drafted a strategy on the issue.

He noted that the Council has decided that Turkey through its EU course should cooperate for a solution to the Cyprus problem, otherwise Turkey cannot continue unhindered its EU accession course.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in UN-led direct negotiations since September 2008 with a view to finding a mutually agreed solution.

[02] DIVERSITY DAY - CYPRUS

Speaking at a press conference, head of the European Commission Delegation, Androula Kaminara said the festival aims to show the other dimension of diversity and to prove that it has a position in peoples lives.

Health Commissioner Androula Vassiliou stressed that thousands of people, both in Europe and in Cyprus, undergo on a daily basis, the humiliation and injustice of the society which does not provide them with the same opportunities offered to others on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, age, disability and sexual orientation.

She said that undoubtedly, a lot of work needs to be done, but the efforts of the Commission will only produce results with the strong support of the member states.

In his remarks, Justice and Public Order Minister Loukas Louka said that due to Cyprus accession to the EU, the number of European citizens and citizens from third countries arriving in Cyprus has increased dramatically.

Labour and Social Insurance Minister Sotiroula Charalambous said that the right of equal treatment and the eradication of discrimination constitute fundamental values which make up every society.

She said the Ministry is taking measures which aim to better inform on the chapter of equality.

[03] HUMAN RIGHTS - SEMINAR

During the opening ceremony, short addresses were made by Judge Christos Rozakis Vice-President European Court of Human Rights and Attorney-General Petros Clerides.

Rozakis said that the issue of violence by states or their institutions is an issue that is being handled on a daily basis by the European Court of Human Rights, mainly for cases that are being submitted by citizens.

On his part, Clerides analyzed his role as Attorney General and how his office is handling such cases.

During the seminar, issues concerning police violence and the implementation of human rights in military operations will be raised.

The seminar is under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe.

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