Visit the Foundation for Hellenic Studies (FHS) Homepage Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Thursday, 28 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 04-01-02

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

  • [01]Friday, 02 January 2004 President Papadopoulos expresses the wish that the year 2004 will bring an end to the anachronistic and artificial division of Cyprus
  • [02] Foreign Minister: Turkish Government has embarked on a public relations campaign
  • [03] Foreign Ministry announcement on the issuing of visas to Russian nationals

    [01] President Papadopoulos expresses the wish that the year 2004 will bring an end to the anachronistic and artificial division of Cyprus

    "I wish from the bottom of my heart that the New Year will be creative and productive and that it will open new horizons of growth, prosperity and progress for all the legal citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins", the President of the Republic Mr Tassos Papadopoulos stated in his televised message to the people of Cyprus, just a few hours before the arrival of the New Year. The President said that the year 2004 would be one of serious challenges and important opportunities and expressed the conviction and the wish that "the new year will see the end of the anachronistic and artificial division of our country and that the much desired reunification will come bringing again hope and joy to the people of Cyprus, who have suffered so much pain." President Papadopoulos promised that he would not spare himself of any hard work or efforts to achieve the goal of reaching a solution to the Cyprus issue. He underlined that in his letter to the UN Secretary-General, he had reconfirmed "the steadfast and irrevocable will of the Greek Cypriot side to engage in negotiations on the basis of the Annan Plan, whenever he decides, with the aim to reach a more functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, if it is possible before 1 May 2004." He pointed out that the year 2004 would be a historic landmark for Cyprus since a vision of at least three decades would be fulfilled, with the Republic of Cyprus becoming a full member of the European Union, as of 1 May 2004, adding that this achievement has been the greatest achievement of the people of Cyprus since the declaration of the Republic of Cyprus. The President stressed that although a great deal has been attained, yet a lot more needs to be done. "With a constructive approach, a collective effort and the required unity, on the basis of common targets and pursuits, I am optimistic that we will manage to take full advantage of the opportunities offered to us but also to fulfil our obligations towards the EU," he said. Concluding, President Papadopoulos conveyed a message of friendship, and appreciation to the Turkish Cypriots and expressed the hope that the New Year would allow them to share with the Greek Cypriots the benefits and advantages stemming from the accession of a reunified Cyprus to the EU.

    [02] Foreign Minister: Turkish Government has embarked on a public relations campaign

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr George Iacovou expressed the wish for a solution to the Cyprus problem before 1st May 2004, so that a reunited Cyprus can enter the EU. In a statement to the press on 31st December 2003, Mr Iacovou expressed the view that there is mobility with regard to the Cyprus problem. The Government is evaluating the Turkish moves and statements related to the Cyprus problem and consider that at present the Turkish Government has embarked on a public relations campaign which is directed towards the United States and Europe, he said. In reply to a comment that while the Cyprus Government is waiting for the reply of the UN Secretary-General to the letter that was sent to him, Ankara, is working out its own proposals, Mr Iacovou said that President Papadopoulos, in his letter to the United Nations Secretary-General, expressed his desire to restart negotiations on the basis of Annan plan. This constitutes the firm position of the President of the Republic and the Cyprus Government and has been expressed many times, he said. The Foreign Minister further said that there were various leaks on the part of Ankara, which he believed to be deliberate. The Turkish side has not clearly stated that it is really willing to sit down at the negotiating table to find an overall Cyprus settlement based on the Annan Plan, he added. Invited to comment on the American stance on the Cyprus problem, Mr Iacovou said the US accepts that the Annan plan can be negotiated and improved.

    [03] Foreign Ministry announcement on the issuing of visas to Russian nationals

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on 31 December 2003 that the procedure of issuing Russian citizens with entry visas to Cyprus has begun and that between 12.12.2003 and 30.12.2003, 1700 visas have been issued. The Consular Section of the Cyprus Embassy in Moscow had remained open during Christmas and Boxing Day, for issuing visas and will remain open to the public on 2 and 3 January 2004, to facilitate the uninterrupted travelling of Russian tourists to Cyprus on 4 and 5 January 2004. The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Moscow held a reception on 23 December 2003 for Russian Tourist operators, during which the Consul General informed them about the procedure of implementing the system of granting entry visas for Cyprus to Russian citizens of neighbouring countries, the competency and responsibility of which lies with the Cyprus Embassy in Moscow. The Consul General also replied to questions put forward by Travel Agents and Tourist Operators. Relevant information material was handed to all those present at the reception. Moreover similar material was sent by post and electronic mail to tourist operators of neighbouring counties such as the Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. The Foreign Ministry announcement also stated that the Cyprus Embassy in Moscow would issue visas to Russian nationals on the same day of submitting the application, provided that the visa application is submitted in the morning. If an application is submitted in the afternoon, then the visa is issued the following morning.

    From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/


    Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
  • Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    cypio2html v1.02 run on Friday, 2 January 2004 - 21:10:16 UTC