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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-10-01Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PRESIDENT PAPADOPOULOS - INDEPENDENCE - ADDRESS TO THE NATIONCypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos has said that he consistently struggles to achieve, through substantive negotiations, a permanent, functional and viable solution on the agreed basis of a bizonal, bicommuncal federation, stressing that he is not seeking a rushed political settlement which will seemingly close the Cyprus problem but in fact will perpetuate it.In his televised message on the occasion of Cyprus` Independence Day, on October 1st, Papadopoulos reiterated his commitment to the implementation of a UN-brokered agreement in July, adding that the Turkish side`s efforts to upgrade the status of the Turkish Cypriot occupation regime, in northern occupied Cyprus, essentially annul any attempt to reach an agreed solution. Referring to Turkey`s European Union accession course, the President noted that ``if Turkey is truly concerned about its unhindered European course, then it should have no doubt that there are no sideways to avoid its commitments and obligations vis-a-vis the Republic of Cyprus.`` Addressing the Turkish Cypriots, the President of the Republic assured them that ``their progress and prosperity shall not be safeguarded by divisive arrangements and efforts to politically upgrade the illegal entity within which Ankara`s expansionist policy has enclaved them``, adding that ``only through a functional and viable solution of the Cyprus problem would they be able to feel and be certain of their future``. ``Only a balanced solution can be proven to be functional and viable. A solution that would safeguard the real reunification of Cyprus and its communities, its territory, society, economy and institutions and the human rights of all its citizens and that would safeguard their fundamental freedoms,`` he added. Reiterating that ``we are sincerely interested in and are consistently working towards the full implementation of the 8th July agreement, without terms and without preconditions,`` Papadopoulos noted that ``neither the persistent effort by the Turkish side to politically upgrade the pseudo-state, nor its delaying tactics, nor its story tale about the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, nor its continuous false accusations against us, shall distance us from these goals.`` Papadopoulos said that ceremonial meetings between the leaders of the two communities without proper preparation ``do not promote the solution of the Cyprus problem,`` adding that ``on our behalf we do everything possible for the preparation of substantive talks, as the UN Secretary-General himself desires and demands.`` However he noted that ``if the Turkish side cares for the upgrading of the pseudostate, this would demote and essentially disperse efforts for a solution.`` Papadopoulos paid tribute to the first President of the Republic of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios III and all those who with their heroic struggles and sacrifices created and established the Cypriot state, democracy and legality. ``The Republic of Cyprus will continue to exist as an organic member of the international community even if it is not recognized by Turkey,`` he concluded. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the islands northern third. Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on July 8th 2006, during a meeting in the presence of UN Undersecretary General for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day to day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem. Following the agreement, senior aides of the two leaders in Cyprus, Tasos Tzionis and Rasit Pertev, began meetings in Moller`s office in the UN-controlled buffer zone to work out the modalities for the implementation of the July agreement. Although Turkey singed in July 2005 the protocol extending its customs union to all ten EU member states, including the Republic of Cyprus, it still refuses to ratify it and open its ports and airports to Cypriot vessels and aircraft, claiming that it does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus. On September 21, 2005 the EU issued a counter - declaration on Turkeys unilateral declaration that it does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, urging Turkey to implement the customs union protocol and normalize its relations with Cyprus. [02] GREEK DEFENCE MINISTER - PARADEGreek National Defence Minister Evaggelos Meimarakis has arrived in Cyprus to represent Greece in the celebrations marking the 46th anniversary of the independence of the Republic from British colonial rule.Meimarakis will meet Sunday morning Acting Cyprus Defence Minister Michalis Sarris, and later on he will be received by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos. He will then watch the annual military parade, when Papadopoulos will take the salute. The Greek minister leaves Cyprus Sunday afternoon. [03] CHURCH ELECTIONS - HOLY SYNODThe Holy Synod, the most senior institution in the Church of Cyprus, did not ratify on Friday the outcome of last Sundays elections for the post of the Archbishop, because of the numerous objections raised by candidate bishops for the top post in the Church ranks.The Holy Synod will meet again next Thursday, having received the comments of its nine members on the objections, to take a final decision on the election result in the first phase of the church elections, that took place last Sunday. Acting primate of the Church Pafos Bishop Chrysostomos said the Synod will hear all involved in the objections raised and then decide what to do next. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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