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Saturday, 23 November 2024
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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-02-10Cyprus 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/>Thursday, 10 February 2000[01]The President of the Republic Mr. Glafcos Clerides stated yesterday that "little time and good will are needed to solve the Cyprus problem, and that also the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Rauf Denktash should shift from his positions.In a statement to the press at Larnaca airport upon his arrival from Geneva where he participated in the second round of proximity talks on Cyprus, President Clerides said that as predicted the talks dealt solely with the four issues which had been discussed in the USA. He said that at the talks the UN Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan and his Special Adviser on Cyprus Mr. Alvaro de Soto had sought clarifications. He described this as the format of meetings Replying to another question, President Clerides said the Greek Cypriot side was seeking a solution envisaging a bizonal federation where human rights and the acquis communautaire would be safeguarded. He added that the question of sovereignty was not negotiable. [02]Greek Foreign Minister Mr. George Papandreou reiterated yesterday that the Cyprus problem remains Greece's first national priority and that it is in the centre of its foreign policy, which remains committed to a solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation, according to UN decisions.Commenting on the conclusions of the second round of the UN-led proximity talks on Cyprus, which ended yesterday in Geneva, Papandreou said the fact that a new round has been set for May and that the UN and the international community will in the meantime continue mediation efforts, "contribute in maintaining the dynamics for a Cyprus settlement". Papandreou further said that the new framework of relations between the European Union and Turkey, the improved Greco-Turkish relations and the guarantee that Cyprus/ European Union accession course will continue unimpeded "can be utilised in finding a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem". [03]Cyprus ratified yesterday the European Agreement relating to Persons participating in Proceedings of the European Court of Human Rights, the Sixth Protocol to the General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Council of Europe and the Protocol of Amendment to the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Specific Purposes.Ambassador Christophoros Yiangou, Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the Council of Europe, handed the instruments of ratification of these texts to Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Organisation. Mr. Yiangou also signed the European Convention on the Transfer of Proceedings in Criminal Matters. [04]The leader of Belgian Liberals and Chairman of the Cyprus - Belgium Friendship Group Mr. Philippe Monfils expressed yesterday his full support to Cyprus/ EU course.Speaking during a special session of the Belgian Parliament, Mr. Monfils hailed the recent Helsinki decision on Cyprus, and stressed that Turkey in its new capacity as a candidate for EU accession ought to alter its stand on Cyprus and collaborate with the UN in the search for a Cyprus settlement based on UN resolutions. [05]Twenty prominent human rights organisations in the United States have expressed their support for a Cyprus "settlement along the lines presented in UN resolutions and supported by the United States and other nations".In a letter to US President Bill Clinton, sent as the second round of Cyprus settlement talks continued in Geneva, these human rights groups also stated that, "a settlement which unites the last divided capital city and nation in Europe will enable both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to enjoy human rights realised by citizens of other democracies around the world." They also called on President Clinton to: "make the settlement of the Cyprus dispute a high foreign policy priority during his last year in office. In conclusion, these human rights leaders stated that, "25 years of division have been long enough for the people of this island nation. It is time for the division of the Republic of Cyprus to come to an end." The twenty prominent human rights organisations, which signed this letter to the President regarding Cyprus, include inter alia the US Center for International Policy, the Columbia University Center for the Study of Human Rights and the Human Rights Alliance. 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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