Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-10-09

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Wednesday, 9 October 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] Indian Prime Minister repeats support for Cyprus
• [02] Foreign Minister's statements on developments after New York talks
• [03] Greek FM Spokesman: technical committees a positive development
• [04] Cyprus Representative addresses UN General Assembly
• [05] Conference on Cyprus Archaeology in Washington D.C.

[01] Indian Prime Minister repeats support for Cyprus

Mr. Vajpayee, who is on a three-day official visit to the island, noted that India considers Cyprus "a time-tested and valuable ally" and appreciates its support for India's permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

With regard to the relations between the two countries, the Indian PM said that they "historically enjoyed relations of deep-rooted friendship" and that they "share a commitment to democracy and pluralism and a congruence of outlook on major regional and international issues".

He also conveyed to President Clerides India's "best wishes for Cyprus in the final stages of its negotiations on entry into the European Union".

On his turn, President Clerides pointed out that his meeting with the Indian PM was "extremely constructive" and conducted in a "very friendly atmosphere". He also praised the excellent cooperation between the two countries which share "mutual feelings of friendship, trust, understanding and assistance in all sectors".

The President emphasised that India had always been "one of the stable supporters of our national cause and our efforts to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem, based on Security Council resolutions", expressing Cyprus' deep gratitude for this "honest" support.

"Countries such as India are entitled to become a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council", Mr. Clerides added.

During their meeting, three bilateral Agreements and two Memoranda of Cooperation were signed, namely, an Agreement on Cooperation in the fields of Posts and Electronic Communication, an Agreement on Cooperation in Public Health and Medical Services, a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Information Technology and Services, a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Science and Technology and an Executive Programme on Cultural, Educational and Scientific Cooperation.

Referring to the agreements signed, President Clerides said they would further upgrade bilateral relations and their cooperation in important sectors of modern society.

Mr. Vajpayee expressed the hope that "this visit and its follow up will impart a new momentum to our bilateral relations".

The two men also reviewed international issues of mutual interest, with emphasis on terrorism and the Middle East, Cyprus' EU accession course and the latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem, in light of President Clerides' meeting with the UN Secretary-General last week in New York.

[02] Foreign Minister's statements on developments after New York talks

Replying to press questions, Mr. Kasoulides expressed the view that the decision to create these committees was taken by the UN in order to "keep the flame of the talks alive", after they had to be suspended because of Mr. Denktash's heart surgery in New York.

The Cyprus Minister explained that issues relating to births, deaths, education and marriages of persons living in the occupied areas would have to be dealt with, and that the technical committees would serve that particular purpose.

With regard to the international treaties, to be examined by the second committee, Mr. Kasoulides pointed out that no legal validity titles would be given at this point and that the committee would simply make recommendations on the treaties that needed to be in effect once a solution was reached.

Asked whether the UN Secretary-General would put forward a proposal plan, Mr. Kasoulides said that Mr. Annan had not decided upon that yet, adding that certain factors would have to be considered first, such as Mr. Denktash's health situation, the outcome of the November elections in Turkey, as well as the time that is left. In case a solution plan is submitted, "it would have to be in line with the UN resolutions or otherwise we would be against it", he added.

Invited to comment on President Clerides' impending visit to Athens and his meeting with the Greek Prime Minister Mr. Costas Simitis, the Cyprus FM clarified that nothing new had come up in the talks that called for a redefinition of the strategy followed by the Greek side so far and that the meeting would merely serve as a confirmation of the existing strategy, as we enter into the final path.

[03] Greek FM Spokesman: technical committees a positive development

However, as Mr. Beglitis pointed out, the work of the two committees should, under no circumstances, undermine the process of the direct talks, or deprive any of the two sides of the possibility to continue the talks within the framework of the core principles of a solution to the Cyprus problem.

He also expressed the opinion that significant work could be carried out by the two committees on technical and other related issues, so that President Clerides and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Rauf Denktash could resume the direct talks as soon as the latter resumes his full duties.

[04] Cyprus Representative addresses UN General Assembly

In his speech, Mr. Moushoutas stressed that it was high time that the collective system of security be finally implemented and pledged Cyprus' unequivocal support to the UN Secretary-General's efforts for strengthening the role of the Organisation.

The Cyprus Representative to the UN Assembly also noted that "the road to a better future is that of cooperation and partnership among States, as well as the private and civic sectors, NGOs, institutions of learning and research, and others".

"The UN can guide these partnerships and unite their myriad efforts in pursuit of specific goals contained in the historic Millennium Summit Declaration, such as human rights, democracy, good governance, the resolution of conflicts and the special needs of Africa", Mr. Moushoutas concluded.

[05] Conference on Cyprus Archaeology in Washington D.C.

The director of the Cyprus Department of Antiquities, Mr. Sophocles Hadjisavvas, gave a lecture on the Late Bronze Age and the termination of the isolation of Cyprus due to its commercial, political and cultural exchanges with the big powers in the Mediterranean.

Speakers also included, Professor Stuart Swiny, director of the Institute of Cypriot studies at the University of Albany, whose lecture focused on the origins of the Cyprus culture in the Neolithic period. The professor of classics at Davidson College and director of the Athienou Archaeological Project, Mr. Michael Toumazou, referred to the era of the Great City Kingdoms in the Archaic and Classical periods. Professor Ellen Herscher, of the University of New York and vice president of the Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute, spoke on the disputes between the successors of Alexander the Great over Cyprus, due to its strategic position and natural wealth. Dr Vassos Karageorghis, from the Leventis Foundation, talked about Aphrodite's legendary birthplace on the island.

Prior to the conference, a buffet reception was hosted for the participants by the Ambassador of Cyprus in Washington D.C., Mrs. Erato Kozakou - Marcoullis, featuring native food and drink. The Cyprus Ambassador, in her welcoming speech, made reference to the destruction of cultural heritage in the occupied part of the Republic and stressed how significant international cooperation is for combating this phenomenon. She made special reference to the collaboration between Cyprus and the USA on the matter, citing the Memorandum of Cooperation on Cypriot Antiquities, signed in Washington on 16 July, 2002. Finally, she mentioned the Cypriot treasures that are being displayed at US museums, such as the exhibition of Cypriot antiquities at the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

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