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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-10-25Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT - TURKEY - EUIf Turkey shows lack of political will to implement its European obligations then a really serious problem in Turkey`s relations with the European Union arises and there is a real possibility for the two trains to collide, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos warned here Tuesday.In his address at the official dinner in honour of Prime Minister of Estonia Andus Ansip who is on an official visit to Cyprus, Papadopoulos said we do not wish such a problem to be caused and such collision to occur. The responsibility, however, for the prevention of a crisis in the Euro-Turkish relations rests solely with Ankara. If Ankara is in no position to assume or fulfill this responsibility, surely no one is entitled to expect the Republic of Cyprus to pay any price due to the negative Turkish attitude, as no one, I believe, has a right to defend the unhindered continuation of Turkey`s European course, without previously meeting its expressed obligations and commitments, Papadopoulos added. He noted that the full compliance of Ankara with the recommendations of the European Union and the prerequisites for its smooth course towards United Europe are not linked with the Cyprus problem, nor is an issue that concerns the two communities in Cyprus. Consequently, one should not expect our side to make any concessions on the Cyprus problem so that Turkey may fulfill its European commitments, something she is obliged to do, irrespective of the Cyprus problem, the Cypriot President said. He expressed hope that Turkey will realize that there is no possibility for her to dictate or impose conditions on the European Union. The only way open is for her to comply with the terms and conditions set by the European Union on candidate countries. In its course to Europe there is no room for compromises or offsets or selective adjustments, Papadopoulos stressed. He expressed certainty that the Estonian Prime Minister fully agrees with the general demand that every candidate country should comply with the obligations it assumes. Furthermore he assured that as regards the Cyprus problem, we, more than everybody else, seek a solution that will serve the real and permanent interests of the whole of the Cyprus people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike. Papadopoulos said that even though all the efforts made so far to solve this problem have failed, our side is not to blame. The reason for the absence of a solution is the rigid intransigence and negative stand of the Turkish side, which for the first and only time in April of 2004 gave its consent to an arrangement, because the Plan that envisaged this arrangement satisfied it in full, but it did not satisfy the most basic, elementary, or self- evident conditions for a functional, lasting and viable solution, he added. He noted that our firm target remains the finding of a correct, reasonable and permanent solution. The basis of this solution is a bizonal, bicommunal federation. The framework for seeking this solution is the United Nations with a more active role and say on the part of the European Union, as the principles and the values of the European Union constitute elements reinforcing this framework. And the only real solution will be the true reunification of Cyprus - the reunification of the territory, the people, the economy and the institutions of Cyprus, an EU member country. Papadopoulos said the road to this solution, through substantive negotiations, can now open up and be prepared through the full and unconditional implementation of the Agreement signed on July 8 by the leaders of the two communities. There is no doubt that our side has fully respected this Agreement. However, we are still waiting for the Turkish side to show similar respect to the Agreement, he said. Referring to the relations between Cyprus and Estonia, he noted that as equal member-states of the European Union, our two countries develop and strengthen their bilateral relations and cooperation, while at the same time they contribute constructively to the collective effort to build a better European future. And a better European future is ensured through the safeguarding of peace, democracy, freedom and social progress. Papadopoulos noted that Cyprus and Estonia articulate their clear political word and play a constructive role, within the framework of the European Union, cooperating in a friendly manner and respecting fully the rules and responsibilities that their membership of the EU entails. Turkey, a country aspiring to become an EU member, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member since May 2004. Furthermore, Ankara continues to occupy Cyprus` northern part since its troops invaded in the summer of 1974. [02] CYPRIOT FM - PARISMinister of Affairs George Lillikas said it is not the European countries that are going to decide about the initiative of the Finish Presidency for Turkey`s European course, but Turkey itself - the only one which can withdraw its troops from Varoshia and implement the additional Protocol extending its custom union with the new state members, including Cyprus.Lillikas added Turkey should convince it behaves in a European way, implements in deeds all its obligations undertaken over EU and to respect the acquis communitaire and the European law, so that its accession course can proceed. In statements made at Larnaca Airport before departing for Paris where he will meet with French Minister Delegate for European Affairs Catherine Colonna, Lillikas sai that all ``our partners wish for a positive ending of the initiative of the Finnish Presidency``. He added ``the first who are interested and make strong efforts for this initiative to have results, is us, Cyprus``. Lillikas pointed we have given our positions on the issue written to the Finnish Presidency and we have even discussed ``technical aspects of different ideas as they have been represented to us``. He expressed the hope to be conciliation and positive stance from Ankara`s side so that the Finnish initiative can have results. Commenting on Turkey`s optimism for accession to the European Union , Lillikas noted that Cyprus supports Turkey in its aspirations to become a member of the EU. ``In this way, we believe the benefits for Cyprus, Europe and Turkey are being served``. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. [03] RADIOMARATHON - CONTRIBUTIONSA total of 1,750.000 Cyprus pounds were raised during the annual fund-raising charity, Radiomarathon, which ended midnight Tuesday in aid of children with special needs. (One Cyprus pound is currently trading at about 2 US dollars).The 48-hour event for children with special needs was launched Monday morning. It was the 17th Radiomarathon in a row, organised by the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CYBC) and Laiki Group, one of the largest financial institutions, with 53 kiosks and twelve piggy-bank cars on tour to collect money Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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