Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-11-07

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

Thursday, 7 November 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] Verheugen: a solution in Cyprus must comply with acquis communautaire
• [02] British FM hopeful for progress in Cyprus' peace efforts
• [03] UN Chief urged to make movement on Cyprus problem
• [04] President Clerides accepts credentials of new ambassadors
• [05] Cyprus supports UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees
• [06] Cyprus advocates culture of peace

[01] Verheugen: a solution in Cyprus must comply with acquis communautaire

He added that, according to those principles, Cyprus must speak with one voice internationally and be able to guarantee the full implementation of the acquis and other fundamental values, like the respect for human rights, democracy, rule of law, etc.

Mr. Verheugen said that the European Commission was in constant touch with the United Nations and all parties involved, discussing both the political and technical aspects of a possible solution to the Cyprus issue, with a view to ensuring that a solution plan by the UN Secretary-General would not be contrary to the acquis.

The EC official made special reference to the fact that in its recommendation, the European Commission did not differentiate Cyprus from the other nine candidate states that would be ready to join the EU by 2004. The final decision would be taken at Copenhagen, Mr. Verheugen noted, adding that the EU would not change its timetable for the island's accession if there were no solution, since in that case, the Helsinki conclusions would apply.

He also referred to the Commission's suggestion that significant funds be given for the restructuring of the north part of Cyprus and underlined that confidence building measures were needed in order to end restrictions, posed by the Denktash regime, regarding the movement of EU officials in the occupied areas.

[02] British FM hopeful for progress in Cyprus' peace efforts

Mr. Straw, who was commenting at the beginning of this week on the outcome of the general elections in Turkey, said that his country looked forward to working with the new Turkish government as soon as it was formed.

He welcomed the commitment of the leaders of the winning party to take forward EU - Turkey relations, adding that the UK was a longstanding supporter of Turkey's EU candidature. "I stand ready to help Turkey move further and faster along the road to Europe", Mr. Straw said.

On Cyprus, the British FM hoped for progress in the peace process and said: "We must redouble all support for the UN Secretary-General's efforts to achieve a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus".

[03] UN Chief urged to make movement on Cyprus problem

Mr. Annan, the UN Spokesman noted, had also been contacted by the United Kingdom and Dutch authorities, regarding the next steps to be taken in the peace process. Mr. Eckhard added that the Secretary-General realised that time was short, but he had not made any decisions and was still considering his options.

[04] President Clerides accepts credentials of new ambassadors

Presenting his credentials, the new Swiss Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr. Thomas Litscher, praised the close ties between the two countries and said that Cyprus' EU accession would further strengthen those ties, since, although not an EU member state, Switzerland maintains a very close partnership with the Union. "We more than welcome this development and wish Cyprus every success in completing the accession process", he added.

The Swiss Ambassador, who is based in Lebanon, expressed his country's firm support in the efforts to find a settlement to the Cyprus problem and hoped that a lasting solution could be reached shortly.

Receiving the credentials, President Clerides conveyed his appreciation for Switzerland's support in the efforts for a settlement in Cyprus. He also noted that the people of the two countries shared common values and ideals and that both nations were devoted to the promotion of peace and democracy, respect for human rights and individual freedoms and ideals, deeply embodied into the European culture and tradition.

The President also expressed satisfaction over the bilateral agreements that were being negotiated between the two countries, such as a Free Trade Agreement, an Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments as well as a Tourist Agreement.

The new Ambassador of Croatia to Cyprus Mr. Drago kraljevic, also presented his credentials to the Cyprus President, at a separate ceremony held at the Presidential Palace yesterday.

Ambassador Kraljevic noted that the friendship shared by the two countries was reinforced when Cyprus expressed its understanding for the struggle of the Croatian people for national independence.

He added that both countries shared similar characteristics, such as their strife for independence, their geographical proximity and their common goal of joining the EU. The two countries also shared negative experiences, the Croatian Ambassador pointed out, "due to their turbulent history: human victims, cultural monuments destroyed, material damage, refugees…" These positive and negative similarities contributed to deeper understanding between the two nations, he concluded.

On his turn, President Clerides expressed gratitude for Croatia's consistent support in Cyprus' efforts to reach a settlement to the political issue on the island.

He said that he was pleased to observe "the steady restoration of peace, normality and prosperity" in the country, following the devastating Balkan wars.

The Cyprus President also communicated Cyprus' support for Croatia's European orientation, as that would contribute to peace, stability and development in the Balkans as well as the wider region.

[05] Cyprus supports UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees

The above was mentioned, on Tuesday, by Cyprus' Representative to the Fourth Committee of the UN Assembly, Mr. George Kasoulides, in his address before the Committee.

"Cyprus, a country that shares close and friendly ties with our Near East neighbours, fervently hopes for lasting peace and security in the Middle East and firmly believes that we should preserve the backbone of the economic and social structure for the Palestinian People, in the hope of better days to come", Mr. Kasoulides said.

He noted that the role of the UNRWA was more crucial today in alleviating the negative situation and bringing relief to the millions of suffering Palestinians.

"Cyprus is assisting in its own way", Cyprus' UN representative said, adding that Cyprus was ready to implement its own assistance scheme, which included "programs of technical assistance and training of Palestinian officials and civil servants in Cyprus".

[06] Cyprus advocates culture of peace

"Knowledge alone may lack the requirements to attain peace", Ambassador Moushoutas pointed out, adding that "the family, the school, the places of worship are inseparable 'sine qua non' ingredients for contributing to the building of a peaceful world".

Diversity must be seen as a "part of a beautiful mosaic and not as a pretext for segregation among peoples and separatist movements", Cyprus' UN representative noted and continued by saying that today's world was characterized by partitions, divisions and violence.

"Irrespective of the grave difficulties that we face in this lofty endeavour of establishing a Culture of Peace, we own it to our children to strive for a just world, a tolerant world, a world of brotherhood in diversity, where justice prevails and the provisions of the UN Charter are indeed imbedded in their young minds and hearts", he concluded.

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

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