Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-12-31

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

Monday, 31 December 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] The new Yugoslavian Ambassador presents his credentials
• [02] Presentation of credentials
• [03] Defence Minister : Violations of Cyprus' airspace do not contribute to the good climate

[01] The new Yugoslavian Ambassador presents his credentials

Presenting his credentials Mr. Basara said: «I am greatly honoured to have been accredited by the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Dr. Vojislav Kostunica, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the Republic of Cyprus.

In presenting the Letters of Credence, I have the honour to present, at the same time, the Letters of Recall of my predecessor, Ambassador Pero Jankovic.

May I, first of all, convey to Your Excellency, whole-hearted greetings and appreciation of the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as well as support based on principles in the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus to establish full sovereignty, territorial integrity and re- unification of the island for the well-being of all Cypriots.

Friendship between Yugoslav and Cypriot peoples has always been based on principle common efforts towards establishment of a just society and elimination of all kinds of racial, religious and all other types of discrimination, respect of international law, as well as human rights and freedom. Appreciation and solidarity of our two peoples were particularly significant during the period of struggle for establishment of independence of the Republic of Cyprus and during common political efforts of the two states in the Non-Aligned Movement.

We highly appreciate the genuine support of Cypriot people expressed since the very beginning of the Yugoslav crisis.

The fact that part of the Republic of Cyprus is under occupation since 1974 and that Southern Serbian Province Kosovo and Metohia is currently under the protectorat of UN, obliges us for common political efforts in international fora to re-establish sovereignty and legal order in integral parts of the territory of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Cyprus, in accordance with the highest principles of constitutionality, legality and respect of international law and human rights.

I am taking this opportunity to convince you that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is strongly oriented towards establishment and development of friendly relations with all countries and specially with the former Yugoslav Republics.

I am convinced, having in mind traditional friendly relations between our people and our political orientation towards EU, that the Republic of Cyprus will support the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in its efforts for the better future of its people.

Mr. President, assuming my duties as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the Republic of Cyprus I assure You that I will engage all efforts to reciprocate obligations which respond to the friendly relations of our two peoples and to contribute personally to their bilateral development».

Replying the President of the Republic said:

«It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Cyprus and receive your Letters of Credence that accredit you to be the ambassador of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to Cyprus. I would like to convey my warmest welcome to you and assure you that we are looking forward to a harmonious collaboration that will bring our two countries and peoples even closer.

We maintain long-standing and profound bonds of friendship and understanding. I remain firmly confident that we can enhance our relations and co- operation even further, while taking into consideration the new realities evident in the world today.

Our strong support for your country in its efforts to regain its important role in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, is a policy of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus you can rely on. Similarly, your support for our long and hard struggle for the reunification of our country and our efforts for accession to the European Union is indicative of our commitment to support one another.

The continuing division of Cyprus, with all its tragic consequences, remains a reality deeply entrenched in Cypriots' hearts and minds, and is one of the longest-running political problems that has yet to be resolved despite the intense efforts of the Greek Cypriot side.

We appreciate your country's understanding and support to our struggle to safeguard our most fundamental rights and freedoms, to ensure that a just and viable solution is found, to prevent the further destruction of our cultural heritage and to alleviate the consequences of the humanitarian problems that ensued the 1974 Turkish invasion.

We hope that in the near future we will again be living in a united country that is a full member of the European Union, thus generating a new era in Cyprus history, perhaps the most important one since accomplishing our independence in 1960. This development will unquestionably add a new dimension to our international relations and bring our friends closer to us and to the EU as well.

In wishing you every success in your work, I am sure that you will do your best to upgrade the co-operation between Cyprus and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. We are looking forward to commencing a new chapter in our relations with a country which has been such a good friend for so long.

I would like to convey through you, my greetings and best wishes to your President H.E. Mr. Kostunica, who I know is working very hard to restore a peaceful and stable way of life. I would also like to extend a sincere message of friendship to the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and people.»

Present at the ceremony were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, the Deputy Minister to the President, Mr Pantelis Kouros, and the Chief of Protocol, Mrs Rea Yiordamli.

[02] Presentation of credentials

Presenting his credentials Mr Momberg said:

"Mr President, it is a great honour and privilege to convey to you personally and to the people of Cyprus the best and warmest greetings from the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Thabo Mbeki.

Since formal relations were established between our two countries in 1993, excellent bilateral relations between our countries have been developed. In 1999 Cyprus appointed Mr Elliades as its first High Commissioner to South Africa.

The presence in my country of thousands of Cypriot people serves as a link between South Africa and Cyprus in both the political and economic fields. Since Cyprus lifted trade sanctions against South Africa because of its racist policies, normal trade commenced immediately and Cyprus business community took a very interest in my country as a business partner. Trade between our countries has increased steadily over the past eight years.

My country has been monitoring with a keen interest, but also with admiration the progress Cyprus has made towards attaining full membership of the European Union. This has also been a tribute to the extremely important role you personally have played to achieve this unique milestone for your country. I want to express our wish that your efforts will be crowned with unqualified success in the foreseeable future.

But, Mr President, what my country admires most, has been the way you have been fighting to achieve a just and lasting solution to the intricate political problems or your divided country. We admire the way you have set aside personal issues to work for your country. You have shown great statesmanship by being the first Cypriot President in 27 years to visit the occupied area of Cyprus. Attending the lunch at the house of Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktash, you have sent a clear and unequivocal message that nothing will stop you in attaining lasting peace in Cyprus.

My country as the current leader of the Non Aligned Movement, welcomes these developments. NAM has continuously expressed its deep concern and disappointment over the fact that no progress has been achieved in the search for a just and viable solution. NAM underlined the importance and urgency for the effective implementation of Security Council Resolutions 365, 541, 550 and 939. South Africa as the current President of NAM welcomes your initiatives and we wish you and Mr Denktash well for a successful conclusion to your negotiations in 2002.

Mr President, in conclusion may I say that my country who succeeded to overcome the dark years of apartheid by the greatness of spirit of people like Mr Nelson Mandela, looks forward to the day that Cyprus will also be unified and free. We want to play a meaningful part to assist you to attain this illustrious goal.

May it go well with your country".

Replying the President of the Republic said:

It is indeed a great pleasure to welcome you to Cyprus and receive the Letters of Credence accrediting you as the new High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to the Republic of Cyprus.

Our two countries are linked together by their common commitment to the principles and ideals enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the principles encoded in the international legal order. Your presence here gives me the opportunity to reiterate our determination to work towards strengthening even further our relationship in new areas of common interest for the mutual benefit of both our countries and peoples. I trust that our multilateral and bilateral relations will be enhanced even further. Cyprus and the friendly Government of South Africa share common values regarding human rights and non-discrimination regardless of race, colour, religion, ideology or gender.

During the era of apartheid in South Africa, Cyprus as a matter of principle did not have diplomatic relations with the successive apartheid regimes. I wish to note that thousands of expatriate Cypriots did however live amongst the friendly people of South Africa and a significant proportion of them still do so to-day acting as a bridge between our two countries.

We appreciate South Africas' unwavering support for the implementation of the United Nations Resolutions on Cyprus, which provide the framework and the basis for a viable and lasting solution to the question of Cyprus.

A just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem has always been the first and foremost priority of our efforts. Despite the political will demonstrated by us for a negotiated and lasting solution within the framework of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions, the Cyprus question is for 27 years still unresolved due to Turkish intransigence and negative attitude.

Twenty seven years is the period of time spent in prison by former South African President Nelson Mandela whom Cyprus respects and admires for his struggle against apartheid. In this connection I wish to state that the invitation to former President Mandela to pay an official visit to Cyprus is still open and we will be honoured to welcome such a legendary figure in Cyprus.

In concluding, I would like to assure you that in the exercise of your high duties you may rely on my personal support as well as that of my Government. I also kindly request you to convey to President Thabo Mbeki and to the people of South Africa a message of friendship and respect from the Government and the people of the Republic of Cyprus."

Present at the ceremony were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, the Deputy Minister to the President, Mr Pantelis Kouros, and the Chief of Protocol, Mrs Rea Yiordamli.

[03] Defence Minister : Violations of Cyprus' airspace do not contribute to the good climate

There were 30 violations of the Nicosia Flight Information Region ( FIR ) and 14 violations of Cyprus/ national airspace by Turkish warplanes on 24, 25 and 26 December, 2001.

We believe that these actions do not contribute to the good climate that should exist these days, in view of the meeting between President Clerides and Mr Denktash at the President/s residence. If these actions are linked to some statements made by Turkish officials, I would say that not only do they not contribute to the good climate, but, at the same time, they constitute a provocation.

The Government of the Republic of Cyprus shows the most possible goodwill for a peaceful and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, avoiding statements and actions that might torpedo the climate."

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

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