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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-12-01Cyprus 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 UpdateMonday, 01/12/97CONTENTS[01] No Cyprus solution unless Turkish settlers issue is first resolvedPresident Glafcos Clerides said yesterday that no Cyprus solution can be reached unless the issue of the Turkish settlers in Cyprus is first resolved."We will insist that the solution of the Cyprus problem should include two necessary elements, the removal of the occupation troops and the settlers", he said. The President was commenting on recent statements by Sir David Hannay, Britain's special representative on Cyprus, who said that settlers had acquired so called "Turkish Cypriot citizenship" and therefore had the right to remain after a Cyprus settlement. Moreover, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said last Friday, upon his return from London where he met Sir David, that he had stressed to the British envoy that the principle of having illegal Turkish settlers returned to Turkey must be part and parcel of a solution. A Cyprus solution is not feasible without the return of the settlers, he said, adding that "once this principle is accepted, only then shall we be ready to discuss humanitarian cases related to settlers". Mr Kasoulides said Sir David had explained to him that he neither intended to speak in favour of colonisation, nor to accept it in principle. Furthermore, during his briefing to the press on 28.11.97, Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said that the transfer of Turkish settlers from mainland Turkey to the island's occupied areas is possibly the biggest danger Cyprus is facing at present and in the future. He pointed out that it is obvious that thousands of settlers from Turkey have been intentionally transferred to the island. "It is an international crime which must be tackled by all of us on a global level", he added. The Spokesman referred to recent statistics pointing out that the number of settlers is on the increase, and is now around 100,000 whereas the number of Turkish Cypriots is down to 80,000 from 120,000 in 1974 when the Turkish invasion took place. [02] Hans van den Broek arrives in Cyprus todayEuropean Union External Affairs Commissioner, Hans van den Borek arrives in Cyprus this afternoon and is scheduled to have meetings with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.Referring to his forthcoming meeting with the EU official, President Clerides said yesterday that there is no set agenda but he expects they will discuss the Cyprus issue, the Republic's EU accession course and the composition of the delegation to negotiate Cyprus' accession. Mr Van den Broek will also meet representatives of trade unions, student organisations, the business community, women organisations and lawyers from both communities. Tomorrow Mr Van den Broek and Foreign Minister Kasoulides will inaugurate the Cyprus European Institute, which aims at informing the people of the island on EU affairs. [03] Cyprus does not object to Turkey's EU prospects"Cyprus has no objection to sitting at the same table with Turkey, nor do we object to Turkey's prospect for European integration, but our accession course and that of Turkey are matters which concern the Union", Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said.Replying to press questions last Friday he said it was up to the EU to define the terms and conditions which would enable Turkey to hold membership talks with the Union and added "at present all indications are that it is impossible to do that". These terms, Mr Christofides noted, relate to an improved human rights record, increased efforts to settle the Kurdish and Cyprus problems and ironing out differences with Greece. [04] Greek Cypriot pilgrims to Apostolos Andreas MonasteryOver 1000 Greek Cypriot pilgrims, mostly sick and elderly, crossed the Green Line yesterday and visited the monastery of Apostolos Andreas in occupied Karpassia.It was the second pilgrimage this year to the monastery after 650 Greek Cypriots travelled to Apostolos Andreas on August 15. A service was held at the monastery to celebrate the saint's feast day, November 30, one of the most important dates on the Greek Orthodox calendar. More than 10,000 people applied for the 1000 places allocated by the Turkish Cypriots and the preparation of the final list was a very difficult task for the Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner Takis Christopoulos. Priority was given to the sick and elderly, the relatives of the enclaved and the missing and Greek Cypriots living abroad who were natives of Karpassia. Upon their return to the free areas in the evening the pilgrims were deeply moved and reported that the monastery was in desperate need of restoration as it has been neglected for 23 years. [05] Cyprus and Cuba to finalise shipping agreementA Cyprus delegation from the Ministry of Communications and Works left for Cuba yesterday in order to finalise a shipping agreement between the two countries.Talks between the Cypriot delegation and the Cuban shipping authorities will focus on reciprocal recognition of seamens' certificates, the employment of one country's seafarers in ships of the other, and the obligation to carry out rescue-operations if a ship-related accident occurs. The two parties will also discuss the creation of a joint committee to deal with shipping issues and the obligation of each country to offer service to ships of the other. 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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