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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-04-15Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>News UpdateTuesday, 15/04/97CONTENTS
[01] UN envoy on Cyprus steps downThe UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Cyprus, Han Sung Joo announced yesterday he is to stand down from his post.Speaking at a press conference in Nicosia Han said: "I have told the Secretary-General (Kofi Annan) that I do not wish to be considered for an extension once my initial period of appointment is completed at the end of April". He added: "Given the growing level of intensity at bringing the two leaders together for face-to-face negotiations during the first half of this year, I thought it would be in the best interest of the parties concerned for the UN to have someone who can devote more time to handling the Cyprus issue. The South Korean diplomat cited the long distance between Cyprus and Seoul , as well as his other responsibilities and commitments as the reasons why he could not devote the amount of time necessary to the Cyprus problem during this period of intensified activity. He told reporters he felt hopeful that direct talks between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash would take place in the near future. "Coming from a divided country myself, I do not underestimate the delicate complexities involved in trying to balance both internal and external pressures and interests", he said. "The responsibilities and challenges of your two leaders are daunting. But the time has come to show the necessary political will and courage to end the bitter division of this island." [02] Cyprus in Euro-Mediterranean ConferenceCyprus' Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides flew to Malta yesterday where he will represent Cyprus at the second Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Foreign Ministers, beginning today.Mr Cassoulides will speak after the opening ceremony and will have private meetings with some of his counterparts, mainly from EU member-states. The two-day conference aims at improving relations and co-operation between the 15 European Union (EU) countries and their 12 Mediterranean partners. [03] Defence Minister in AthensCyprus Defence Minister Costas Eliades is starting talks in Athens today with his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohatzopoulos on issues related to the defence pact between Greece and Cyprus.[04] New Nicosia General Hospital Foundation stone laidPresident Clerides yesterday laid the foundation stone of the new Nicosia General Hospital yesterday saying it was part of the government's policy to improve health services.He said construction of the hospital is expected to finish in five years time at an estimated cost of 37,5 million Cyprus pounds. It will house a library and the School of Nursing. Situated on the outskirts of the capital and within easy access from all parts of the island, and it will serve all the inhabitants of the island as a tertiary health care service. Health Minister Christos Solomis said the hospital, with a capacity of 450 beds, will accommodate all existing wards now operating in the existing hospital, as well as other wards from the Makarios Hospital, leaving the latter with maternity and children's wards only. [05] Polish parliamentary delegation in CyprusThe Speaker of the Polish Parliament, Josef Zych, in Cyprus on a three day visit at the head of a four-member parliamentary delegation, had a meeting yesterday with House President Spyros Kyprianou.The two men discussed their countries' prospects for European Union membership, the Cyprus problem and Poland's bid to join NATO. The Polish parliamentarians will be received today by President Clerides and will meet with Acting Foreign Minister, Interior Minister Dinos Michaelides. [06] President Clerides condemns irresponsible incidents at British basesScuffles between a small crowd of villagers from Trahoni and police from the British bases broke out yesterday when the villagers stormed the police compound at the British military base of Episkopi and freed two fellow villagers being held there.The two men had been arrested for an alleged assault against an officer during questioning about building in their home village, which is part of Episkopi, without permission from the Sovereign Base Area (SBA) authorities. President Clerides issued a statement condemning the "irresponsible" incidents and "those who instigate or encourage such incidents under the mistaken and misguided impression that in doing so they put in question the rights of the Bases". The President said that "the rights of the Bases are governed by the provisions of the Treaty of Establishment and the responsibility for interpretation of the Treaty, in the event that no agreement can be reached by negotiation, rests with a five-member tribunal appointed for the purpose, which shall be composed of all the contracting parties and an independent chairman nominated by the President of the International Court of Justice in the Hague". The President expressed the belief that such actions, far from promoting national interests, create problems in relations between the Cyprus Republic and Britain at a critical phase of the Cyprus problem and the island's course towards joining the European Union. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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