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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-07-09
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Wednesday, 09 July 2003 Foreign Minister confirms close cooperation
between Athens and Nicosia
[02] Turkish Cypriots holding passports of the Republic of Cyprus will not
enjoy full EU benefits, says British Minister of State for Europe
[03] Pope hopes for new push in Cyprus peace efforts
[01] Foreign Minister confirms close cooperation between Athens and
Nicosia
The Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Georgios Iacovou, who is on an
official visit to the Greek capital, said he had confirmed the close
cooperation between Athens and Nicosia, especially as regards action taken
by the Greek and Cypriot Foreign Ministries to deal with recent moves by
Turkey concerning cases pending against it before the European Court of
Human Rights. Speaking yesterday after a meeting with the Greek Alternate
Foreign Minister Mr Tassos Yiannitsis, Mr Iacovou noted that the Greek and
Cypriot delegations examined all possible scenarios regarding the pending
cases, and agreed on a series of coordinated actions to be implemented
right away. On his part, Mr Yiannitsis pointed out that the meeting had
focused mainly on issues pertaining to the European Court of Human Rights
and developments on the Titina Loizidou case at the level of the Council of
Europe. "It is very useful for the two sides, the Cypriot and the Greek, to
be coordinated. We support the Cypriot Government and the Cypriot side in
general, on the cases and matters that are being presented there. We give
particular consideration to the status, role and decisions of the European
Court [of Human Rights], and we are interested in ensuring that the
developments and decisions are safeguarding human rights", the Greek
Alternate Foreign Minister said. The Cypriot Foreign Minister, Mr Iacovou,
also met yesterday with the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Andreas
Loverdos, with whom he discussed issues related to Mr Loverdos' responsibilities,
namely, bilateral economic relations and developmental cooperation.
Mr Loverdos also briefed Mr Iacovou on the humanitarian activities of
Greece for Iraq, and, specifically, the current action promoted by the
Greek Foreign Ministry regarding the air transport and hospitalisation of
12 children from Iraq. The Greek Deputy FM proposed closer cooperation
between the two countries on humanitarian action in Iraq.
[02] Turkish Cypriots holding passports of the Republic of Cyprus will not
enjoy full EU benefits, says British Minister of State for Europe
The British Minister of State for Europe, Mr Denis MacShane, has noted that
those Turkish Cypriots holding passports of the Republic of Cyprus would
not be able to enjoy the full benefits emanating from Cyprus' EU accession,
as the implementation of the acquis communautaire would be suspended in the
Turkish-occupied areas of the island, in the absence of a settlement to the
Cyprus problem by 1 May 2004. Replying to a question on Cyprus posed by MP
Mr Andrew Dismore, last week before the House of Commons, Mr MacShane noted
the following: "In the absence of a settlement, the EU acquis will be
suspended in the north of Cyprus when the Republic of Cyprus accedes to the
EU. Those resident in the north of Cyprus who do not hold Republic of
Cyprus passports will not be entitled to EU benefits. Turkish Cypriots with
Republic of Cyprus passports will be entitled to EU benefits. However, the
benefits available to Republic of Cyprus passport holders resident in the
north of Cyprus will be limited by the suspension of the acquis in the
north of Cyprus."
[03] Pope hopes for new push in Cyprus peace efforts
Pope John Paul II has expressed regret that no solution to Cyprus problem
was reached on the basis of the Annan plan, and hoped that a new push would
be given to the peace efforts within the framework of Cyprus' further
integration into the European family. Receiving, last week, the credentials
of the first Cypriot Ambassador to the Holy See, based in Rome, Mr George
Poulides, the Pope expressed satisfaction that the Cyprus Government was
willing to negotiate under the auspices of the United Nations and commit to
all relevant recommendations of the UN Security Council.
Pope John Paul II further expressed his appreciation for the fact that the
Republic of Cyprus had accredited an Ambassador to the Holy See, saying
that it was a positive signal of the developing friendship and cooperation
between the two states. He also made reference to the long and deep-rooted
Christian tradition of Cyprus, which was "connected to the birth of
Christianity". Presenting the credentials, Ambassador Poulides assured the
Pope of President Papadopoulos' commitment to negotiate on the basis of the
Annan plan for a functional and viable solution of the Cyprus problem,
noting the readiness of the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiating
table whenever the UN Secretary-General would consider such move advisable.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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