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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-05-21
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Wednesday, 21 May 2003 New Ambassadors present their credentials
[02] Cyprus condemns the bomb attack in Jerusalem
[01] New Ambassadors present their credentials
The President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, received yesterday,
at formal separate ceremonies at the Presidential Palace, the credentials
of the new Ambassadors, of Cuba, Japan and Slovenia, to Cyprus.
Presenting his Letters of Credence, the new Cuban Ambassador Mr Pablo
Antonio Rodriguez Vidal underlined the similarities between Cuba and Cyprus
which have characterized the strong and long-standing links of solidarity
and friendship that have existed between the two countries and expressed
the conviction that they would continue to further strengthen in the
future. "Although separated by a great geographical distance, we Cubans
feel close to the people of Cyprus, which is the cradle of the Mediterranean
civilization, a modest, happy and hospitable people who have always
maintained a high sense of nation, and for which we feel great respect,
admiration and affection," he said.
Mr Vidal stressed that the Cuban Government, just like the overwhelming
majority of the international community, fully supports the UN-led efforts
to reach a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem. On his part,
Japan's Ambassador to Cyprus stationed in Athens, Mr Toshio Mochizuki said
that although the Republic of Cyprus and Japan are geographically far apart,
they have maintained excellent bilateral relations and expressed the hope
that the friendly relations that exist between the two countries would be
further enhanced in the years to come. He expressed his sincere congratulations
on the signing of the EU Accession Treaty last month in Athens, adding that
"the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU would give a new
dimension to our bilateral relations, since Japan has established close
cooperation with the EU, sharing responsibility to contribute to the
international peace, security and prosperity." Ambassador Mochizuki
confirmed his government's position for a peaceful and viable solution to
the Cyprus issue, adding that "the Government of Japan will continue its
contributions as a member of the G8 and as a member of the United Nations
in order that the people of Cyprus may live in a secure environment."
Presenting her credentials, the new Ambassador of Slovenia to Cyprus,
stationed in Athens, Mrs Jozefa Puhar expressed warm congratulations for
Cyprus' successful conclusion of the negotiations with the European Union,
adding that "by joining the family of 25 European nations, our two
countries shall enter a new era, which will offer many new possibilities
for fostering our mutual cooperation". Mrs Puhar expressed disappointment
over the failure of the talks on the reunification of Cyprus, but also
"optimism and admiration for the level of political will and commitment"
that the Cyprus Government has shown in trying to resolve this difficult
political issue. Finally, she reaffirmed Slovenia's full support in the
efforts to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem, which would be "in the
interest of the people of the island and of the wider European community."
[02] Cyprus condemns the bomb attack in Jerusalem
The Cyprus Government issued the following statement yesterday, condemning
the terrorist attack in Jerusalem: "The Government of the Republic of
Cyprus strongly condemns the day before yesterday's bomb attack in
Jerusalem, which resulted in the death of many innocent civilians.
Such acts of terror must stop immediately. Moreover, it becomes evident
that they are directed against any effort to resume the peace process, so
that the whole effort is derailed. The Government of the Republic calls
once more for the dialogue between the parties to be pursued with full
vigour and for terrorism to be neutralized by all those in power. Peace
demands nothing less."
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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