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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-10-06
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Monday, 06 October 2003 President Papadopoulos returns from "historical"
Intergovernmental Conference in Rome
[02] US President conveys congratulatory message on the occasion of the
anniversary of Cyprus' Independence
[03] Cyprus gives financial aid to Algeria for earthquake victims
[01] President Papadopoulos returns from "historical" Intergovernmental
Conference in Rome
The President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, returned yesterday
from Rome, where he had attended the opening session of the Intergovernmental
Conference (IGC), called upon to approve the Draft Constitutional Treaty
drawn up by the Convention on the Future of Europe. Speaking at Larnaca
Airport upon his arrival, Mr Papadopoulos said "the Rome IGC was of
historical significance and it paved the road for discussing and approving
the new European Constitution". He further said that at the meeting of the
Heads of State and Government, various views on the draft Constitution were
conveyed and some pending issues were forwarded to meetings at the level of
EU Foreign Ministers for discussion.
The President noted that more meetings in the framework of the Intergovernmental
Conference would be held with the aim at completing the debate on the new
Constitution before the end of the Italian Presidency of the EU, in
December 2003, and approving it in time for EU citizens to be informed on
its provisions prior to the June 2004 European Parliament elections. Asked
if he was satisfied with the draft Constitution, President Papadopoulos
said it was "an exceptional text", noting at the same time that a lot of
member states and acceding states, including Cyprus, had expressed
reservations on certain provisions of the draft, such the number of
European Commissioners. "We insist that each member state should have at
least one Commissioner with the right to vote and specific competences", he
said, pointing out that "this position is widely supported by most
countries". Replying to another question regarding the outcome of the so-
called "parliamentary elections" in the occupied areas, Mr Papadopoulos
said Mr Rauf Denktash had proven his intransigence in the efforts to reach
a settlement of the Cyprus problem at The Hague and ever since, thus
providing the certainty that there was no chance of a solution by May 2004
with Mr Denktash leading the Turkish Cypriot side at the peace talks. "The
Turkish Cypriot opposition, if one judges by its statements and positions,
provides at least the hope that we could have an interlocutor who would be
willing to show more flexibility with a view at reaching an agreement on
functional provisions of the new state to be created", Mr Papadopoulos
added. Invited to comment on a report saying that in the case of a solution
?16,6 billion would be the amount needed for the viability of the new state,
the President noted that the Government was preparing, with the help of
experts, its own comprehensive study to assess the total cost of a solution
including the cost of compensations and reconstruction. He added that it
would be premature and unwise for him to comment on the various studies
that were publicised on the economic repercussions of a settlement.
[02] US President conveys congratulatory message on the occasion of the
anniversary of Cyprus' Independence
The US President, Mr George W. Bush, has conveyed the following message to
President Papadopoulos, on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of Cyprus'
Independence: "Dear Mr. President:
I extend my warmest greetings to you and the people of the Republic of
Cyprus as you celebrate your Independence Day on October 1. The American
people join me in welcoming the occasion and reaffirming the strong
friendship between our two countries. The United States remains as firm as
ever in its commitment to finding a comprehensive, just and lasting
solution on the basis of UN Secretary General Annan's plan to the
differences that have divided Cyprus for far too long. I share your oft-
expressed hope that it will be a reunited Cyprus that joins the European
Union on May 1 of next year. As we continue to work hard on this issue in
the months ahead, I greatly appreciate your commitment and leadership.
My best wishes to you and the people of Cyprus for the year ahead. May it
be a year of peace and prosperity."
[03] Cyprus gives financial aid to Algeria for earthquake victims
The Foreign Minister, Mr Georgios Iacovou, had a meeting, last Thursday in
New York, with Algeria's Permanent Representative to the UN, Mr Abdallah
Baali, to whom he handed over a cheque of 50,000 US dollars as aid, on
behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, for the victims of the recent earthquakes
that hit Algeria. Handing over the cheque, Mr Iacovou stressed that Cyprus
and Algeria shared friendly ties and expressed the need for enhancing
further bilateral relations, especially in the framework of the Euro-
Mediterranean partnership. He also conveyed the gratitude of the Government
and people of Cyprus for Algeria's support in Cyprus' fair cause.
The Algerian official thanked Mr Iacovou for Cyprus' financial aid to his
country and pointed out that Algeria would always be by the side of Cyprus
and its people.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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