Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 00-10-02

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

Monday, 2 October 2000

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides sends a message of unity to all Cypriots
• [02] Cyprus celebrates Independence Day
• [03] Presentation of credentials

[01] President Clerides sends a message of unity to all Cypriots

In a televised message on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Independence of Cyprus, President Clerides said that "a federal, united, demilitarised Cyprus, incorporated into the European Union whose Common Foreign and Security Policy it will follow consistently, will serve the vital interests of all, including those of Greece and Turkey President Clerides stressed that he is determined to do everything possible to contribute to the creation or the utilization of every opportunity in the search of a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem.

He noted, however, "we shall never accept the present faits accomplis of the invasion which were caused by Turkey/s expansionist strategy".

"The anniversary of the independence of the Cyprus Republic is marked this year in a period of talks held within the framework of the United Nations, in order to find a solution to the Cyprus problem", he said.

President Clerides expressed hope that "this concurrence of time will be a good omen for breaking the impasse and leading to a solution of the serious political problem of the region; a problem, which has been causing hardships and insecurities to the whole of the Cyprus people in the last decades; a problem which is a potential source of military conflict which could draw Greece and Turkey into war and, by extension, destabilize the broader region.

He noted that "the solution of the Cyprus problem as envisaged by the UN resolutions must come from an agreement between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities", adding that "the solution must be consistent with the relevant Security Council resolutions, the two high level agreements (1977 and 1979), human rights conventions, international law and the acquis communautaire".

"I truly believe that a solution will serve the basic interests of the parties involved, mainly those of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities," he said.

He noted that the Greek Cypriot side is participating constructively in the talks, which are being held, and that "if the Turkish side maintains the same stand, it will not be long before we have a solution". However, for the Turkish side to take a constructive stand, the international community must exercise due influence, he added.

President Clerides sent the Turkish Cypriot community a message of "sincere cooperation in the effort of finding a peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem, a solution which will benefit equally both communities in all fields".

He called on the Turkish Cypriot community "to cooperate with us in the negotiations which will lead Cyprus to the European Union and create a better future for the new generations of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in the economic and political fields, in the security field as well as in all the other fields, a future which will safeguard in practice respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms".

[02] Cyprus celebrates Independence Day

President Clerides was flanked by Defence Minister, Mr Socratis Hasikos and Chief of the National Guard General Staff Lieutenant Evangelos Florakis.

Present at the parade were Archbishop Chrysostomos, the President of the House of Representatives, Mr Spyros Kyprianou, the Leader of the New Democracy Party of Greece Mr Constantinos Karamanlis, the Greek Ambassador to Cyprus Mr Christos Panagopoulos, Ministers, Members of Parliament, political leaders, foreign ambassadors and other officials.

The Greek government was represented by Development Minister Mr Nicos Christodoulakis and Alternate Defence Minister Demetrios Apostolakis, who came to the island especially for the occasion.

Before the parade, the Mr Christodoulakis and Mr Apostolakis were received by President Clerides.

In a short statement after the meeting, the Greek Development Minister said that Cyprus' European Union course moves in parallel with the search for a just solution to the occupation and division of the island.

Mr Christodoulakis said he wished to convey to the Government and people of Cyprus the message that Greece fully supports the efforts of the Cyprus Government in its search for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.

The Leader of the New Democracy Party Mr Constantinos Karamanlis who also had a meeting with President Clerides underlined that a confederal solution in any form cannot be accepted because it makes Cypriot Hellenism a hostage of Turkey.

[03] Presentation of credentials

This was expressed by the new Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr. Song Aiguo, who presented his credentials to President Clerides on Friday.

Mr Song Aiguo expressed his country's support for the good offices of the UN Secretary-General and the hope that the two ethnic groups of Cyprus can resolve the Cyprus problem in a fair and reasonable manner on the basis of relevant UN resolutions.

President Clerides on Friday also received the credentials of the new Greek Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr Christos Panagopoullos.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Panagopoullos said that the excellent cooperation between the Greek and Cyprus governments reflect the strong ties that link the two countries and expressed the hope that through this we will be able to tackle successfully all problems and will succeed in our objectives to the benefit of the both the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot side despite the negative and intransigent stand of the Turkish side.

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

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