[02] French and Turkish Foreign Ministers discuss Cyprus
The Foreign Minister, Mr. Ioannis Kasoulides, has expressed deep shock over
the murder of Stelios Harpas, a 69-year-old Greek Cypriot enclaved in the
Turkish-occupied area whose charred body was found in his car near
Rizokarpasso village on Tuesday.
Mr. Kasoulides, who was speaking after the meeting of the Council of
Ministers today, said the Cyprus government will convey internationally
that it holds the occupation authorities responsible for the physical
integrity and security of the enclaved in the occupied area.
"If the security of any citizen is taken for a fact, the security of the
enclaved should be considered as a double obligation and double responsibility",
he said.
Mr. Kasoulides said he would convey this message to UNFICYP and demand that
this matter be investigated and cleared up. He also said UNFICYP would be
asked to ensure that justice is done.
The Cyprus problem was among the issues discussed at a meeting between the
Foreign Ministers of France and Turkey on Tuesday.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem told the press afterwards that he had
explained to his French counterpart, Mr Hubert Vedrine, Turkey's position
regarding the decision of the G8 on which the subsequent UN resolutions on
Cyprus were based.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
