 |
Compact version |
|
 |
        |
|
 |
||
|
Thursday, 19 December 2024
|
||
 |
 |
|
|
|
Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-03-21Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PRESIDENT - TALKS - CENSUSPresident of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has said that the Turkish Cypriot side does not submit constructive positions at the negotiating table, in the framework of the UN-led direct talks for a solution of the Cyprus problem.The President, who was addressing at the Presidential Palace a group of students and professors from the Universities of Athens, Palermo and Nancy, said that the Turkish Cypriot side does not accept to hold a census in the northern Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus under international observation, that would indicate the real number of illegal Turkish settlers, brought to the occupied part of Cyprus by Ankara in order to change the demographic structure of the island. Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu is asking us to accept the so-called citizenship he has granted. This is unacceptable and we cannot be talking about bridging positions because this must be based on logic, on legality, he said. Noting that the real number of illegal settlers is unknown, he said that the Greek Cypriot side asks for a census to take place in Cyprus under international observation but the Turkish side does not accept this. They do not want to do that. They accept a census to take place but not under international observation. This is one of the issues we are discussing now. We believe that when a census takes place under international observation we will know the real number of settlers living in the occupied areas, he noted. Referring to the chapter on properties, he said that the Greek Cypriot sides position is that the legal owner of the property must have the first say on the future of his/her property, while the Turkish Cypriot side does not agree with this position. He said that former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat accepted that the solution of the Cyprus problem must be based on one state, adding that we were close to an overall agreement on the chapter of governance and power sharing. President Christofias said that the international community does not seem to understand that the Greek Cypriot side has made an historic compromise in order to achieve the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus, noting that this historic compromise was the acceptance of the transformation of the unified Cypriot state to a bizonal, bicommunal federation. There is no other alternative, he said, than to continue efforts on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus, the high level agreements of 1977 and 1979, for a peaceful reunification of our island in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with political equality as outlined in the relevant UN resolutions, for one state with one and single sovereignty, citizenship and international personality, a state functional and viable. Referring to the events in 1974, he said that Turkey was in no way justified in invading Cyprus, spreading death and destruction, and continuing until today to occupy part of the island. He also said that the UN and the EU have not shown the necessary will to implement in Cyprus the principles of international law for the restoration of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus after Turkeys military invasion in 1974. Some states, he continued, have now begun operations in Libya, noting that in Cyprus there has been a Turkish invasion and there is a continuous occupation of 37% of Cyprus territory but, despite numerous UN resolutions, the international community never thought of activating chapter 7 of the UN Charter (Action with respect to threats to the peace, breaches of the peace and acts of aggression) since they are allies with Turkey, the country which imposes injustice in Cyprus. [02] NUCLEAR PLANTS - TURKEY - EUROPEAN COUNCILThe government has expressed major concerns about Turkeys nuclear plans and has called on its European partners to show a decisive stance towards Ankara. Cyprus positions on Turkeys plans to construct a nuclear plant in Akkuyu in the Turkish southern province of Mersin were presented at the EU Council of Ministers of Energy in Brussels by Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalides, following the disaster in Japan on March 11.Only a few days after the disaster in Japan, Turkish Prime Minister spoke with utter arrogance about his governments plan to build a nuclear plant in Akkuyu, completely disregarding the international reaction and concerns on nuclear accidents, Paschalides said, adding that it is extremely important for the EU to take into consideration Cyprus positions. The Minister said that it is necessary for the EU to commence a dialogue with all member states as well as neighboring countries which have or plan to construct nuclear plants in their territory, in order to secure the levels of safety in case of a nuclear accident. He also warned about the risks involved in developing nuclear programs close to seismologically active areas. [03] CYPRUS - LIBYA - MILITARY OPERATIONSGovernment Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has said that the Republic of Cyprus has conveyed its wish not to be involved in the military operations in Libya for many and various reasons. We have been informed by the British that the British Bases have been used so far to provide auxiliary services. This is the information we have so far, he said. From there on, he added, as President Demetris Christofias has said we have conveyed the wish of the Republic of Cyprus to stay outside any military operations for many and various reasons.Stephanou recalled that Cyprus, because of its political and other problems due to the Turkish invasion and to the ties the Republic of Cyprus maintains with other countries of the region, does not wish to be involved in any way in the current military operations. Responding to a question, the spokesman said that Britain has not said that it will use its bases in Cyprus to launch military operations against Libya. The Spokesman said that as President Christofias had stated the status of the British military bases in Cyprus is prescribed in the 1960 Treaty of Establishment. Britain, a former colonial power, has retained two military bases in Cyprus when it granted the country its independence in 1960. [04] EU FOREIN MINISTERS - CYPRUS - LIBYAThe latest developments in Libya and the general situation in the Arab countries were discussed during the meetings the Foreign Affairs and General Affairs Councils held here on Monday. In his intervention, Cyprus Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou underlined that the primary goal of the international community must be the immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians in Libya.He also said that the EU must coordinate its actions with the Arab League and stressed the need to provide humanitarian aid to Libya and address problems to camps where Libyan refugees live in Tunisia and Egypt. The international community, he added, must aim at resolving the crisis in Libya through peaceful processes and dialogue. Furthermore he stressed that the process of democratization must remain in the hands of the Libyan people, without foreign intervention. The General Affairs Council discussed the preparation of the forthcoming European Council and nuclear security, in the aftermath of events in Japan. Cyprus stressed the need for the EU to insist on high levels of nuclear security, both domestically and internationally, especially in neighbouring countries. It was stressed that Akuju, where Turkey plans to construct a nuclear plant, is an area vulnerable to earthquakes and very close to Cyprus. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
All Rights Reserved.