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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 96-12-13Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>News Update13/12/96CONTENTS
[01] Rifkind to probe positions on Cyprus problemBritain's Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, David Davis, has said that it was sad that all the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem so far had failed either because of missed opportunities or intransigence. He said 1997 could be a unique opportunity for a solution which must not be allowed to pass.Speaking during a debate in the House of Commons on Britain's policy on Cyprus held on the occasion of the visit to London of the Mayor of Famagusta, Andreas Pouyiouros, he said that Britain's special representative on Cyprus, Sir David Hannay, "has made three visits to the island, during which he probed positions on both sides and tried to identify areas of possible flexibility". According to Davis, this is also what British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind will do during his forthcoming visit to Cyprus next week. Davis said "all countries with an interest in promoting a safe ,prosperous future for Cyprus, must work closely and constructively together if we are to succeed in the search for a settlement". [02] Rifkind's latest statements correspond more closely to official British policyCyprus Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides has said on Thursday (12.12.96) that the British Secretary of State Malcolm Rifkind's latest statements correspond more closely to what Britain refers to as her official policy as well as to the spirit of the 6 March 1995 decision.Mr Rifkind said in an interview with London Greek Radio on 11 December, that by meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash during his forthcoming visit to Cyprus, Britain in no way attempts to recognise the so- called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus." He added "we do not recognise it, we acknowledge that northern Cyprus is an occupied territory and my meeting with Mr. Denktash will be in his capacity as the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community." Replying to a question whether it would be wiser to avoid meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash during his visit to Cyprus, the British Foreign Secretary said: "if one is going to Cyprus, it is necessary, if one is going to make a useful contribution, to meet the leaders of the Turkish Cypriot community. That is obviously sensible, otherwise no progress can be made". The Government Spokesman said that Mr Rifkind's statement that Britain has no intention of recognising the Denktash pseudostate corresponds to repeated assurances to this effect from the British government. "What worried us is not the possibility that there was a change of policy, but what message this would give Mr Denktash. It should never be allowed to cross his mind that that there was even the slightest possibility of the international community recognising his illegal state. Earlier, replying to a question in the House of Commons on Monday (9.12.96), as to whether the division of Cyprus and continuing illegal occupation of a part of it by Turkey creates a problem for Cyprus' accession to Europe, Mr Rifkind said that "it will be very much easier for Cyprus to accede if there was a solution, but it is not a requirement, it is not a legal necessity". He cited Germany as an example. Mr Rifkind added that "we very much hope that the solution of the problem will provide for the reunification of the island". [03] UN report neither surprising nor objective, says SpokesmanCyprus Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, said yesterday that although the UN Secretary-General's report on the UN operation in Cyprus holds no surprises, he does not consider it objective.Referring to the question of overflights, he said it was peculiar that the issue of overflights was only raised when Greek aircraft flew over Cyprus during a joint exercise with the National Guard, in the framework of a defence agreement between Cyprus and Greece, while Turkish aircraft have for the past twenty years repeatedly violated Cyprus' airspace with no measures taken against them. Cassoulides said "the Cyprus Republic respects the cease-fire agreement regarding the UN buffer zone", but said according to international law it also has the inalienable right to sovereignty and to decide about overflights. Commenting on the UN chief's reference to the National Guard's "military construction programme", Cassoulides said that in view of the fact that Turkey has made a considerable increase to her military presence on the island, it is more important for us to improve our defences than to worry whether or not the UN Secretary-General mentions this in his report. Besides, he said, we are not arming ourselves secretly. "Cypriot troops will never fire a bullet unless the Turkish army chooses to launch an attack against the free areas of the Republic", he added. [04] Cyprus is committed to trade liberalisationCyprus is committed to trade liberalisation and has already put a lot of effort in implementing the changes stemming from the new world trade order.This was stressed by Cyprus' Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Kyriakos Christofi in his address at the Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation being held in Singapore. The Minister said that despite the difficulties in adjusting to the new trade rules and market opening commitments, teething problems have been overcome. "The bureaucratic and inefficient regulations of trade through import licensing and quantitative restrictions had been abolished". He stressed that Cyprus' prospective accession to the European Union and its ongoing harmonisation policy create a web of relations which go beyond free trade. [05] UN food director arrives for official visitThe further development of co-operation between Cyprus and the Food and Agriculture Organisation were the outcome of official talks between the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment and the Director General of FAO, Jacques Diouf, who is in Cyprus for a four-day official visit.The talks centred on relations between Cyprus and FAO, on Cyprus' use of FAO aid and on new areas of co-operation. FAO has sent technical and financial aid to Cyprus for the implementation of plans and programmes contributing to the development of agriculture, animal husbandry, water resources, fisheries, forestry, agricultural research, veterinary services and geology. [06] News in brief- Cyprus' geographical position, its European orientation and its strong historical and cultural ties with all the countries of the region can enable it to contribute to programme of Euro-Mediterranean Co-operation. This was stressed by Cyprus' Finance Minister addressing a committee on Euro-Mediterranean co-operation.- The representative of the Irish presidency at the European Parliament, Mr Mitchel, replying to a question by Greek EuroMP Constantinos Hadjidakis as to what action is being planned to ensure that the human rights of the enclaved Greek Cypriots are respected, said that "the restrictions to which the Greek Cypriot and Maronite enclaved are being subjected, must be removed". 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 |
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