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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-07-25Cyprus 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/>Wednesday, 25 July 2001CONTENTS
[01] Luxembourg's Foreign Minister on a visit to CyprusThe Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, Mrs Lydie Polfer, who was on a two-day official visit to Cyprus on 23 and 24 July, had stated that small states have a place and a role to play within the European Union and share responsibilities with their larger partners.During a joint press conference with the Cypriot Foreign Minister, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, on 24 July, Mrs Polfer reiterated her government/s firm commitment to the UN resolutions on Cyprus and the UN peace effort. Mrs Polfer stated that she saw "a great consensus" in Cyprus concerning the will to join the EU and expressed hope that the window of opportunity nowopened could finally help the UN conclude the peace talks in a fruitful way. "I really would like and wish to see all Cypriots join the EU as soon as possible" she added. In his remarks to the press, Mr Kasoulides thanked Mrs Polfer profoundly for the support Cyprus has enjoyed from Luxembourg on many occasions during its accession course, including the allocation of seats to the European Parliament and the weighted vote when Cyprus joins, as this was decided at the EU summit in Nice. "We have a natural affinity with Luxembourg, which gives us the example as to how tomorrow we can operate as members of the EU, equivalent to the bigger countries of the EU, playing our little role and small contribution to the efforts for European integration", the Cypriot Foreign Minister stated. Earlier on in the day, Mrs Polfer had also visited the President of the House of Representatives, Mr Demetris Christofias, and exchanged views on the Cyprus problem. Mr Christofias had said that the least the UN should do is to tell Mr Denktash that the talks should resume where they left off last November and on the basis set out by the UN resolutions. [02] Promoting financial and trade relations with Hong KongThe Director General of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Mr Andrew Leung, was on a two-day visit to the island on 23-24 July, discussing with government officials issues relating to his country/s request for granting visa free access to Hong KONG passport holders and to the bilateral economic and trade ties between Cyprus and Hong Kong.Speaking after his meeting with the Cypriot Finance Minister, Mr Takis Clerides, on 24 July, Mr Leung had expressed his country/s readiness to share its experience with Cyprus in the Stock Market field and added that during his stay on the island he had explored the opportunities for promoting cooperation between the two countries. He has also proposed a visit to Hong Kong by a Cyprus delegation comprised of senior officials and businessmen, members of the Stock Exchange and the Chamber of Commerce in view to "raise the profile of such an interesting market as the market of Cyprus". On his part, Mr Clerides had expressed hope that Cyprus' and Hong Kong's entrepreneurs will seize the opportunity to further enhance the two countries' trade and economic relations. [03] Statement by the Spokesman of the UN Secretary General regarding CyprusDuring his daily briefing to the press, on 23 July 2001, the Spokesman Spokesman of the UN Secretary General, Mr Fred Eckhard, expressed hope that there will soon be progress with regard to the talks on the Cyprus problem."For this purpose, the Special Advisor of the Secretary General on Cyprus, Mr Alvaro de Soto had recently communicated both with President Clerides andMr Denktash, however, no statement is yet to be made", Mr Eckhard stated. [04] Identification of another seven missing personsThe identity of another seven persons, whose remains were exhumed in the summer of 1999 from two local cemeteries and who were killed in 1974 whenTurkish troops invaded Cyprus, has been established, Cypriot Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides had stated on 24 July 2001.An official press release, issued by the Ministry which has initiated the process of exhumation and identification with the help of international and local experts, read that the latest identifications of remains brings the number of persons identified so far to 115. The government of the Republic of Cyprus unilaterally decided to proceed with exhumations of remains and the effort to identify them was made in a bid to alleviate the suffering of the hundreds of families whose beloved person's is listed as missing since the 1974 invasion. The decision was taken in view of the non cooperative stance of the Turkish Cypriot side in the investigative work of the CMP and its refusal to implement the 31 July 1997 Agreement which provides for the exhumation and identification of remains as well. [05] The Cyprus problem continues to be top national priority for GreeceGreece's Prime Minister, Mr Costas Simitis, in a message on 24 July to the Greek people commemorating the 27th anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Greece, referred to the Cyprus problem as the top national priority of his country and stated that continuous efforts will be made by his government until its just settlement.He added that this is a struggle for Hellenism as a whole and for all civilized countries. Cyprus' accession to the EU will enhance the efforts for the solution to the Cyprus problem and will secure peace and security for all Cypriots living on the island, the Prime Minister concluded, inter alia. [06] Need for a settlement regarding the Cyprus problemUS Senators Frank Padavan and Charles Schumer, US Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and President of the Borough of the Bronx (New York) Fernando Ferrer, commemorated the 27th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and underlined the need for a settlement of the protracted Cyprus problem.In her statement before US House of Representatives, Mrs Maloney stated, inter alia, "we now have an atmosphere where there is no valid excuse for not resolving this long-standing problem" and expressed hope that Cyprus' accession to the EU would act as catalyst for a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem. In his proclamation commemorating the 27th anniversary of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus, Mr Padavan noted, inter alia, that for 27 years Turkey had remained an anachronistic hostage to the past rather than choosing to look to the future with renewed vitality for cooperation and development. He noted that the US citizens recognize the noble cause of the Cypriot and Greek Americans in their collective call for justice and peace in the region. In a letter to the Consulate General of the Republic of Cyprus in New York, Senator Schumer expressed his confidence that today could serve as the catalyst towards a final peaceful resolution to the Cyprus problem. Proclaiming 20 July 2001 as a "Justice for Cyprus Day", President of the Borough of the Bronx, Mr Ferrer noted that all efforts towards finding a just, peaceful and viable solution of the Cyprus problem where the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus would be safeguarded had been constantly met with intransigence and lack of political will. [07] Commitment to a just and lasting settlement in CyprusThe British Parliamentary Secretary, Privi Council Office, Mr Steven Twigg reaffirmed on 20 July 2001 the British government's commitment to a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus, based on UN resolutions.Replying to questions on Cyprus in the end of term adjournment debate in the House of Commons, Mr Twigg also reaffirmed that the British Government will use "whatever opportunities they can to press human rights matters with the Turkish government". He added that the Government has a continuing commitment to the process of accession of Cyprus to the EU. 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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