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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-07-18
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Friday, 18 July 2003 Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can co-exist
peacefully as equal citizens, says President Papadopoulos
[02] Reply to Denktash's letter to be given soon
[03] Greek and Italian Foreign Ministers discuss Cyprus issue
[04] Washington views the Annan plan as the only basis for a settlement
[05] Three new Ambassadors to Cyprus present credentials
[01] Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can co-exist peacefully as equal
citizens, says President Papadopoulos
The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, has
underlined that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots could live together
again in peace as equal citizens and compatriots within the framework and
parameters of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as envisaged by the plan of
the UN Secretary-General. Addressing a rally yesterday to condemn the July
1974 coup d'etat and the Turkish invasion that followed, President
Papadopoulos reiterated the Greek Cypriot side's readiness to respond,
without conditions, to any invitation by the UN Secretary-General to resume
bicommunal negotiations for an overall settlement of the Cyprus problem
within the framework of the Annan plan, noting that the plan "will
undoubtedly have to amended, taking into consideration the accession of the
Republic of Cyprus to the EU and the collapse of the myth that Greek
Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots cannot live together". "Our basic goal is to
achieve, before 1 May 2004, a viable and functional solution of the Cyprus
problem - a European solution - so that a reunited Cyprus can accede to the
EU", Mr Papadopoulos said and pointed out that that would be to the
interest of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, who could then share
the numerous benefits emanating from EU membership of a united island. The
President further said that "we cannot find a solution to the problem alone
by accepting the Annan plan as it stands. The key to a solution is in the
hands of the Turkish side. This side, the guilty side, has the sole
responsibility for both the crime against Cyprus and the repeated failed
attempts for a settlement." "Good neighbourly measures do not constitute
the solution of the Cyprus problem, neither are they steps towards a
settlement", he stressed and added that "the partial lifting of the signs
of illegality imposed by the Turkish invasion does not constitute an
'initiative' of the Turkish side". Regarding the rally, President
Papadopoulos said it was a rally of unity for both Greek Cypriots and
Turkish Cypriots, in support of a solution and peaceful co-existence.
"With today's rally we would like to express the common feelings of the
entire people of Cyprus, because Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have
been the tragic victims of invasion and occupation for 29 years now", he
added.
[02] Reply to Denktash's letter to be given soon
The Government Spokesman Mr Kypros Chrysostomides stated during his press
briefing yesterday that a Committee made up of members of the National
Council was scheduled to meet in the afternoon to prepare the reply to Mr
Denktash's letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in which he proposed
the reopening of the Nicosia Airport. The National Council, top advisory
body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem, had authorised
President Tassos Papadopoulos to handle the issue regarding Turkish Cypriot
leader Rauf Denktash's letter, at its meeting on Tuesday 14 July. At that
meeting, the Council had thoroughly discussed the contents of Mr Denktash
letter which had been sent to Mr Annan and the Secretary-General had
conveyed to President Papadopoulos, and there was a complete convergence of
assessments. The reply to the Secretary-General will be given soon, while
the reply to Mr Denktash will be conveyed in the same manner that the
President had obtained Mr Denktash's letter, that is through the UN
Secretary General.
[03] Greek and Italian Foreign Ministers discuss Cyprus issue
The Greek Foreign Minister, Mr George Papandreou and his Italian counterpart
and President of the EU Council of Ministers, Mr Franco Fratini, discussed
inter alia the issue of Cyprus during talks held in Athens last Wednesday.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Mr Papandreou pointed out that
recent statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, proposing
the reopening of the Nicosia Airport and threatening to settle the fenced-
off area of Famagusta, were in no way compatible with the effort being made
for a comprehensive solution on the basis of the Annan plan and were
indicative of the lack of real will by Mr Denktash to move the peace
process forward. He also noted that the Cyprus problem was among issues
discussed in depth during contacts between the Greek Prime Minister, Mr
Costas Simitis and the Italian President, Mr Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, where
the existence of a new European dynamic was ascertained. "This European
dynamic gives hope of the reunification of the island and the solution of
the problem, but a precondition for a solution is the existence of
political will, real and sincere political will on behalf of the Turkish
side, Mr Denktash and Ankara, so as to able to return to the negotiating
table and make positive use of the Annan plan to reach a viable and
European solution", Mr Papandreou added. On his part, the Italian FM said
that the Italian Presidency of the European Union saw no other reliable and
serious alternative proposal than the Annan plan for the resumption of
peace talks on the solution of the Cyprus issue.
He pledged that his government would do all it could, during its six-month
mandate holding the rotating EU Presidency, to persuade the Turkish side to
return to the negotiating table and accept the Annan plan as the basis for
a solution.
[04] Washington views the Annan plan as the only basis for a settlement
The US State Department Spokesman, Mr Richard Boucher, has reiterated that
his government continued to support the Annan plan as the way to move
forward for achieving a settlement of the Cyprus problem. Replying to a
question on Cyprus yesterday at the daily press briefing, Mr Boucher noted,
"We have said again and again we think that the Annan plan is the way to
move forward on this issue. We have emphasised the need for the parties to
get back to talks on that basis. That is the only basis that we have
supported for negotiations at this point".
[05] Three new Ambassadors to Cyprus present credentials
President Papadopoulos received yesterday, at separate formal ceremonies at
the Presidential Palace, the credentials of the first High Commissioner of
the Republic of Gambia to Cyprus, stationed in Rabat, Mr Maudo Touray, the
new Ambassador of the Republic of Philippines to Cyprus, stationed in Tel
Aviv, Mrs Belen F. Anota and the new Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia
to Cyprus, stationed in Rome, Mr Fabio Valencia Cossio. Presenting his
credentials, the High Commissioner of Gambia to Cyprus, Mr Touray
congratulated President Papadopoulos on Cyprus' advanced level of
development and economic dynamism, as well as its forthcoming accession to
the EU. "We see the Republic of Cyprus having the rare ability of
maintaining good relations with all countries and often acting as a bridge
of communication among nations. This impressive trait, which is true to the
Republic of Cyprus, if emulated by countries in the Committee of Nations
will sooner rather than later lead to the attainment of world peace", Mr
Touray said. The Ambassador of Philippines to Cyprus, Mrs Anota, made
extensive reference to the economic cooperation between Cyprus and the
Philippines, noting the need to continue bilateral negotiations for an
Economic and Technical Agreement and an Agreement on Scientific and
Industrial Cooperation, as was originally proposed by the Government of
Cyprus. She also referred to the four thousand Filipino nationals working
in Cyprus, saying that she was happy to note that the workers were well
treated and appreciated by their employers.
The Filipino Ambassador also conveyed her government's congratulations on
Cyprus' forthcoming EU accession in May 2004, and noted that the Philippines
was ready to make the necessary adjustments to maintain and enhance close
bilateral relations. Lastly, the Colombian Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr Cossio,
made reference to the issue of terrorism and organised crime, requesting
from the Cyprus Government to assist Colombia's efforts to combat those
phenomena. Mr Cossio also praised Cyprus' commitment in safeguarding
fundamental human rights and welcomed its active involvement in promoting
human rights issues at all international fora and the United Nations in
particular. Accepting the credentials of the three new Ambassadors to
Cyprus, President Papadopoulos outlined the current situation on the island
and expressed his appreciation for the continuous support of the three
governments to the efforts for finding a viable and functional solution to
the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Annan plan.
He further expressed the belief that the accreditation to Cyprus of the
three Ambassadors would undoubtedly strengthen mutual bonds of friendship
and cooperation.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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