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Tuesday, 19 November 2024 | ||
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-11-24Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] Spokesman: Turkey is to blame for Cyprus divisionThe fact that there are two halves of Cyprus is due to Turkeys illegal actions against Cyprus Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has said here on Thursday, clarifying once and for all that the Republic will not accept any permanent exceptions to the acquis communautaire as part of an eventual solution of the Cyprus problemStephanou, who was commenting on Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglus recent statements that an eventual solution of the Cyprus problem would be considered as primary EU legislation and would contain permanent exceptions said that the Republic of Cyprus became an EU member on the basis of Protocol 10, which in turn constitutes the basis on which various issues arising from the solution of the Cyprus problem will be dealt with. It is a known fact, he noted, that we do not accept permanent exceptions to accompany the solution of the Cyprus problem, adding that any exceptions will not be permanent and will be limited in number and duration. Referring to other statements made by Eroglu and Turkish President Abdullah Gul about another half of Cyprus Stephanou noted that Protocol 10 gives all the answers, since it refers to the accession of the entire Cyprus in the EU. What Gul calls the half of Cyprus, he said, is the result of Turkeys illegal actions against the Republic of Cyprus. It is the result, he stressed, of an illegal invasion and occupation, of the presence of thousands of Turkish troops and the violation of human rights and basic freedoms of the entire people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, as well as of the violation of international law in Cyprus on behalf of Turkey. Referring to statements made by Eroglou as regards the Cyprus EU Presidency at the 2nd half of 2012, Stephanou said that Cyprus EU Presidency poses no problem to the Union. On the contrary, he noted, it is Turkey who insistently tries to create problems by refusing to implement its Cyprus related EU obligations and by threatening to freeze relations with the EU during Cyprus presidency. He further called on Turkey to put an end to this policy, adding that all it achieves is to expose itself to the international community and create problems for Turkey alone. Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN led negotiations have been underway between President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu in an effort to reunite the island under a federal roof. Turkey, a candidate EU member, has recently threatened that it will freeze relations with the EU when Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004, takes over the rotating Presidency of the EU Council at the 2nd half of 2012. [02] FM:Cyprus does not accept ECs draft conclusionsForeign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis assured that the Republic of Cyprus has given a strong message to Brussels regarding the European Commissions draft conclusions for the European course of Turkey.Speaking after a meeting with Democratic Party leader Marios Garoyian, Markoullis said that the Republic of Cyprus has already expressed its position with regard to the draft conclusions, during the first meeting of COREPER. She added that Permanent Representative of Cyprus in Brussels has made it clear that the Republic of Cyprus will not accept such conclusions. We d better stick to last years conclusions than having new conclusion this year that do not include any of the negative developments, namely Turkey`s threats until today and the threats about our Presidency and of course yesterdays threats by Mr Gul, she said. [03] Eliades: We will not respond to Turkish provocationsDefence Minister Demetris Eliades has said that Cyprus will not respond to Turkish provocations and efforts to create tension, but will continue to behave responsibly as a country which promotes peace, stability and normality in the region.Addressing a ceremony at a military camp on the occasion of the Day of Honour for the Retired National Guard officers, Eliades said that we are following what is going on as regards explorations for natural gas in Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in a calm way, adding that Cyprus is exercising its self-evident sovereign rights with full respect and attachment to the international law and that the international community recognizes and respects these rights. He said that in these difficult times for Cyprus, the National Guard constitutes a deterrent force defending the Republic of Cyprus freedom and the peoples dignity. Eliades praised the National Guards fighting capacity and operational readiness, stressing Greeces support to the Republic of Cyprus. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |