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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-10-10
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Friday, 10 October 2003 President Papadopoulos announces cancellation
of "NIKIFOROS" military exercise
[02] Foreign Minister departs for Budapest
[01] President Papadopoulos announces cancellation of "NIKIFOROS" military
exercise
The President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, made the following
announcement yesterday: "I have been officially informed that the Ministers
of Foreign Affairs of Greece and Turkey have decided to cancel the military
exercises "TOXOTIS" and "TOROS".
The Cyprus Government, wishing to contribute to the effort of preventing
acts that could increase tension, had taken the position that it would have
been willing to agree to the cancellation of the "NIKIFOROS" exercise if
the Governments of Greece and Turkey were to agree to the cancellation of
the exercises "TOXOTIS" and "TOROS". In the light of this development the
Cyprus Government has taken the decision to cancel the "NIKIFOROS"
exercise."
[02] Foreign Minister departs for Budapest
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Georgios Iacovou, departed yesterday
for Budapest for an official visit at the invitation of his Hungarian
counterpart, Mr Laszlo Kovacs. Speaking to the press at Larnaca Airport
upon his departure, Mr Iacovou noted that during his visit he would be
received by the Hungarian President and would hold talks with his
counterpart and other officials - members of the Hungarian delegation to
the Council of Europe, including the Rapporteur on Cyprus, Mr Eossy and his
predecessor, Mr Barsony. He added that he would also attend a plenary
session of the Hungarian Parliament during which the country's EU Accession
Treaty would be ratified. Replying to a question on Turkey's non-compliance
with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling on the Titina
Loizidou case, relating to human rights violations in Cyprus by Turkey, Mr
Iacovou mentioned that all European capitals were being informed on the
Cyprus Government's positions and that the ambassadors of the Council of
Europe member states had been called to the Foreign Ministry in Nicosia in
order to be informed on the matter. He added that Cyprus and Greece had
already submitted a resolution which noted that "if Turkey does not comply
with its obligations, sanctions will be imposed on it".
On the role of the European Union in enforcing Turkish compliance with the
ECHR ruling, the Foreign Minister said that the EU was "substantially
engaged" in the Loizidou case and added, "the position of the EU '25' in
Strasburg is that representations must be made to Ankara". Invited to
comment on reports about an illegal visit by Turkey's Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan in the occupied areas on the anniversary of the unilateral
declaration of the pseudostate, Mr Iacovou said that there was no specific
information on the matter. "What is expected is the arrival of a high-
ranking Turkish official", he added. On Sunday, the Foreign Minister will
depart for Luxembourg to attend the EU General Affairs and External
Relations Council, which will discuss the draft Constitutional Treaty.
"I assure you that we are actively participating in the processes of
drafting the European Constitution and we are defending the interests of
the Cyprus Republic", Mr Iacovou further noted.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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