Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-10-25

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

Friday, 25 October 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] President Clerides' message on UN 57th Anniversary
• [02] EC President: Turkey will not get date for EU accession talks
• [03] Norway supports just solution to Cyprus problem
• [04] Cyprus President accepts credentials of new ambassadors
• [05] Government condemns Moscow terrorist action

[01] President Clerides' message on UN 57th Anniversary

The message reads as follows:

"On the auspicious occasion of the 57th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, I wish to convey to you, on behalf of the people, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and myself the most sincere wishes, together with the assurances of our wholehearted support and earnest dedication to the efforts for the fulfilment of the principles, ideals and objectives of the United Nations, which we fully share.

Rising from the ashes of a destructive world war, the United Nations, has unquestionably succeeded where the previous noble effort of the League of Nations did not. And that is, in becoming the ultimate global organization entrusted with increasingly multi-faceted tasks to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving new world. The undeniable worldwide acceptance of our Organisation, has placed it at the centre of international affairs and has embedded it forever in the collective consciousness of mankind.

We live at a time in which the United Nations is being constantly called upon to address much more than its traditional challenges. At the turn of this new millennium the United Nations is a force for unity not only in the efforts aiming at systematically reducing poverty, eradicating disease, preventing war or building peace but, moreover, in adequately confronting international terrorism, HIV/AIDS, the digital divide and the various aspects of globalization.

No matter the challenge however, it is the duty of each and every member state of the United Nations to ensure that the Organization shall, and will, rise to the full potential of the vision of its founders as the only beacon of hope.

Fifty-seven years after the signing of the United Nations Charter, the preservation of world peace and security, still remains as it should, the permanent objective of our Organisation. On attaining that often elusive objective the United Nations role as well as Your Excellency's unwavering efforts cannot be underestimated. It is thus no surprise that the Nobel Peace Prize has been twice awarded to the Organization, in 1988 and 2001.

As humanity is already traversing a new Millennium, the noble vision, so aptly expounded in the Millennium Declaration, should guide us all to the attainment of the lofty principles of the United Nations. In this effort, I would like to assure you of Cyprus/ firm commitment in this endeavour.

On behalf of the people of Cyprus who have placed their faith and trust in the United Nations, and all that it champions, I would like to express my deep appreciation for the Organisation's efforts and your personal involvement within the mission of your good offices towards a just, viable and lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem, based on the implementation of the relevant resolutions of the Organisation.

As the United Nations begins a new year in its historic mission may I express the hope, on this symbolic day, that during the 57th year of its existence, we will witness a renewed sense and depth of cooperation toward the realization of the vision of the founders of the United Nations."

[02] EC President: Turkey will not get date for EU accession talks

Mr. Prodi expressed the view that Turkey had made a lot of progress towards meeting the Copenhagen political criteria, but it needed to continue with the reforms and implement the legislative changes that had been achieved so far.

On enlargement, he expressed hope that the two-day informal European Council, which is taking place today in Brussels, would adopt the Commission's recommendation to conclude accession negotiations with the ten candidate countries by the end of the year, with the view to signing the Accession Treaty in 2003, during the Greek Presidency of the Union.

The Brussels meeting, Mr. Prodi added, should provide the Commission with a "reference framework", enabling it to conclude accession talks with the ten candidate states prior to the Copenhagen Summit on 12 - 13 December.

[03] Norway supports just solution to Cyprus problem

Ambassador Papademas, who is also the ambassador of Cyprus to Sweden, informed the Norwegian monarch on Cyprus' accession course and the latest developments regarding efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, conveying the Cyprus Government's gratitude for Norway's constant support in that respect. He also extended an official invitation by President Clerides for King Harald to visit Cyprus.

During his stay in Norway, the Cyprus Ambassador had meetings with the General Secretary of the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, Mr. Bjarne Lindstrom, and the Assistant General Director of the Bilateral European Affairs Department, Ms. Anne Sofie Bjelland. Mr. Papademas informed the Norwegian officials on the latest developments with regard to the UN-led direct talks and Cyprus' EU accession course.

[04] Cyprus President accepts credentials of new ambassadors

The new Slovak Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr. Jan Varso, pledged his country's support in the UN Secretary-General's efforts for finding a settlement to the Cyprus issue, expressing his belief that the solution could only be based on the ideals, principles and provisions of the UN Charter, and on the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.

As both countries aspire to join the EU, the Slovak Ambassador added, they should reinforce bilateral relations, and bilateral commercial exchanges in particular. "Cyprus and Slovakia share, with the other European countries, the same values and principles which unite us in our efforts to build a prosperous, stable and secure future for all the peoples of Europe", he concluded.

Receiving the credentials, President Clerides praised the excellent relations between the two countries and said that EU membership would further strengthen bilateral cooperation. He also thanked the Slovak Government for its consistent support for a Cyprus settlement, based on the relevant UN Resolutions.

The new Ambassador of Japan to Cyprus, Mr. Takashi Nakamoto, who will be stationed in Athens, said that although the two countries were geographically far from each other, they had maintained excellent bilateral relations since Cyprus' independence. Cyprus' EU membership, Ambassador Nakamoto added, would give a new dimension to their bilateral relations, since Japan was exploring the possibility of closer cooperation with the EU. He also confirmed Japan's full support in the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus and assured of his country's continuous contribution in that respect, as a member of the G8 group.

On his turn, the Cyprus President praised Japan's role and stature in the international scene, particularly in the promotion of peace and respect for international law, and applauded its initiatives on a number of issues of global importance, such as disarmament, elimination of poverty and the peaceful coexistence of mankind. He also referred to the advanced commercial relations between the two countries, adding that Cyprus' accession to the EU would give a significant boost to the existing bilateral ties.

The new Ambassador of Lithuania to Cyprus, Mr. Alfonsas Eidintas, who also presented his credentials to President Clerides yesterday, assured the President of his determination to assist in the expansion and deepening of relations between the two countries, already connected with several bilateral agreements and very soon expected to be full members of the European Union.

President Clerides said, in response, that the Cyprus' Government attached particular importance to the further enhancement of bilateral ties, as both countries were bound by the foundations of the European legacy, which included the principles of justice, respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy. He expressed hope that the two countries' accession to the EU, hopefully in 2004, would give new impetus for further cooperation. The President also conveyed gratitude for "Lithuania's interest and genuine concern regarding the long-standing Cyprus problem".

[05] Government condemns Moscow terrorist action

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

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