Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-08-30

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

Wednesday, 30 August 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus and Greek Foreign Ministers meet in Athens
• [02] New Armenian Ambassador presents credentials
• [03] New Cyprus High Commissioner to Bangladesh

[01] Cyprus and Greek Foreign Ministers meet in Athens

In a statement after the meeting, Mr. Papandreou said that with Mr. Kasoulides they discussed the course of the proximity talks, Cyprus' European Union course and Greco-Turkish relations.

The Greek Foreign Minister said that Athens and Nicosia were in full coordination on all issues and that President Clerides would be meeting with the Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis in New York, where they will be attending the UN Millennium Summit, to exchange views on the issues that have already been stipulated in Athens.

Replying to a question on the prospect of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, Mr. Papandreou expressed the hope that the Turkish Cypriot side will participate in the new round of proximity talks with the political will to engage in a substantial dialogue.

Mr. Papandreou said that developments such as the situation in Strovilia, where Turkish occupation forces illegally moved their positions forward from the cease-fire line, indicate the need to solve the Cyprus problem, because they may cause fresh tension and escalate the problem, not only between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots but also between Greece and Turkey. Such issues stress the need for substantive progress in the Cyprus problem, he added.

In his statement, Mr. Kasoulides noted that the Greek Cypriot side participates in the proximity talks with the political will to achieve results that would facilitate the solution of the Cyprus problem. The Turkish side must also maintain a similar approach in New York, so that the talks can become substantive, he said.

Mr Kasoulides pointed out that the solution of the Cyprus problem does not depend on the Cyprus and Greek governments only but also on Turkey, which is an EU candidate country and associate member. The US also has a role to play in this direction, in the same way that all the other UN Security Council members have assisted the UN Secretary General's work, he added.

[02] New Armenian Ambassador presents credentials

Presenting his Letters of Credence, Mr. Petrosyan said that his government gives great importance to further developing the friendly relations of the two countries. "The friendship between Armenians and Cypriots is traditional and dates back into the depth of centuries", he said.

The new Armenian Ambassador assured President Clerides that "the Republic of Armenia fully supports a solution for the Cyprus issue stemming from the resolutions of the UN Security Council envisaging the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal unified state".

"Undoubtedly a stronger and unified Cyprus shall have a greater role in the international community, and more specifically in the establishment of peaceful coexistence and economic cooperation in the region," he said.

Mr Petrosyan also expressed his country's support for Cyprus' European Union accession course.

Accepting the credentials, President Clerides said that "the people of Armenia and Cyprus have a great deal in common, sharing most importantly an admirable capacity to ride the storms of history and emerge with a stronger and more resolute determination to survive every time".

"The presence in Cyprus of an active Armenian community has helped in the remarkable enhancement of bilateral relations between our two states in these last ten years, following Armenian independence," he said.

"We look forward to working closely with you in order to build on what has been already achieved and expand our bilateral relations to new areas", he concluded.

[03] New Cyprus High Commissioner to Bangladesh

After the ceremony, Mrs. Yiordamli briefed President Ahmed on the latest developments in efforts to reach a settlement in Cyprus.

On his part President Ahmed noted the strong relations that exist between the two countries and their cooperation in the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement. He also extended an official invitation to President Glafcos Clerides to visit Bangladesh.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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