Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-01-18

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

Thursday, 18 January 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] Cyprus ratifies two conventions of the Council of Europe
• [02] Government appeals to the Council of Europe for the release of Tziakourmas
• [03] Presentation of credentials

[01] Cyprus ratifies two conventions of the Council of Europe

Cyprus' Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, Ambassador Christophoros Yiangou, handed the instruments of ratification to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Mr Walter Schwimmer.

Under the European Convention on Compensation of Victims of Violent Crimes, all states must provide either in their legislation or in their administrative arrangements for a compensation scheme funded by public money, to victims of international and violent crimes, who have suffered bodily injury or death.

States are also obliged to extend compensation not only to their own nationals but also to foreign victims on their territory, including migrant workers, tourists and students.

The Convention is already in force in the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Azerbaijan, and has been signed by Belgium, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Turkey. In Cyprus, it will come into effect on May 1, 2001.

The Criminal Law Convention on Corruption aims at combating corruption through the adoption of legislation and the boosting of international cooperation. It deals specifically with the domestic and foreign, private and public sectors and judicial bribery, trading in influence, money laundering and the prosecution of other corruption offences.

The Criminal Law Convention will come into force when it has been ratified by 14 states. Cyprus is the seventh state to ratify the convention.

[02] Government appeals to the Council of Europe for the release of Tziakourmas

Mr Tziakourmas, a building contractor, was abducted on December 13 by the Turkish occupation forces, as he sat in his car waiting to collect Turkish Cypriot workers and drive them to their workplace. He was parked within the Dhekelia British Sovereign Base, which borders the Turkish-occupied northern part of the Republic.

Referring to the deteriorating condition of Mr Tziakourmas' health, the Cyprus Ambassador noted a statement made by the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Rauf Denktash before the UK Special Representative for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay that Mr Tziakourmas could be freed for humanitarian reasons, provided that the Cyprus authorities freed Mr Tekogul, a Turkish Cypriot, arrested in the Government controlled area and charged with possession of drugs.

Mr Yiangou pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot leader's statement makes it clear that the abduction took place in retaliation to the arrest of the Turkish Cypriot drug dealer. With this statement Mr Denktash accepts the fact that Mr Tziakourmas was abducted to secure the Turkish Cypriot drug dealer's release, he added.

During the meeting, the Permanent Representatives of Greece, the United Kingdom, Italy Portugal, Ireland and Russia expressed concern for Mr Tziakourmas' health and stated that the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers could make an appeal to Turkey requesting his release.

Concluding, the Permanent Representative of Latvia, who is President of the Committee, called upon the Secretariat to gather all relevant information on the case. The Committee will examine the case again during its next meeting, he said.

[03] Presentation of credentials

Accepting her credentials, President Jagdeo referred to the friendly and warm relations that exist between the two countries and stressed that Guyana supports, like Cyprus, the peaceful resolution of conflicts and remains committed to the principles and aims of the United Nations Charter, which show respect for the sovereignty, independence and integrity of states.

Moreover, he said that Guyana supports the United Nation's efforts for a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem and expressed the hope that the current UN-led proximity talks will have positive results.

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

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