Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-06-25

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

News Update

Thursday, 25/06/98

CONTENTS

• [01] Greek President on state visit to Cyprus
• [02] Message of peace and friendship by Greek President
• [03] Wall of division is a disgrace to civilisation

[01] .Greek President on state visit to Cyprus

This was the message conveyed by the President of the Hellenic Republic Mr. Konstantinos Stefanopoulos, at the beginning of his four day official visit.

Mr. Stefanopoulos was warmly welcomed this morning at Larnaca Airport by President Clerides and other government officials.

At the entrance of the town of Nicosia, the Greek President was met by the Mayor of the town Mr. Lellos Demetriades who awarded him with the gold key of the city.

Speaking about the wall that divides the capital, the Greek President said that the wall is a shame to world civilisation but even more disgraceful is the tolerance of the existence of the wall by the international community.

Soon after, Mr. Stefanopoulos had a private meeting with President Clerides at the Presidential Palace, followed by talks with the participation of the two countries' delegations.

The Greek President was awarded the "Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios III" by President Clerides at a special ceremony, which was followed by a working lunch.

In the afternoon Mr Stefanopoulos visited the "Imprisoned Graves" of the heroes who fought for Cyprus' independence against British Colonial Rule between 1955-1959.

He also visited the graves of many Greeks and Cypriots who fought and died during the Turkish invasion of 1974.

In the evening, Mr Stefanopoulos will meet the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos.

President Clerides will host an official dinner in honour of his Greek counterpart at the Hilton Hotel later this evening.

[02] Message of peace and friendship by Greek President

Welcoming the Greek President, the President of the Republic Mr. Glafcos Clerides outlined the importance of his Greek counterpart's visit "which takes place perhaps in the most crucial period of the Cyprus problem since the Turkish invasion." President Clerides emphasised that the meaning of Mr. Stefanopoulos visit is manifold . It shows that Greece fights by Cyprus' side "for the restoration of justice in Cyprus and for the creation of a truly independent and united state. It is striving for Cyprus' accession to the European Union".

This visit, continued President Clerides, also conveys a "message of friendship to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots for the solution we seek and Cyprus' accession to the European Union will benefit equally the Turkish Cypriots. Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can and must live together and build together in conditions of peace, security and justice".

In his reply, the Greek President stressed that Greece will join Cyprus, if the need arises, in defending legality. Cyprus and Greece are one in the struggle for peace, freedom and dignity.

Cyprus can be a happy place only when the UN resolutions are implemented and when legality is reestablished. President Stefanopoulos stressed that the accession of Cyprus to the European Union is definite and that it will benefit both communities in Cyprus.

He expressed his country's gratitude for all the efforts undertaken by the international community in finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and noted that those efforts should be intensified.

[03] Wall of division is a disgrace to civilisation

Mr. Stefanopoulos, who was overwhelmingly welcomed by the Mayor, the Municipal Authorities and thousands of Nicosia citizens, stressed that the wall which divides Nicosia, the world's last divided capital, is a disgrace not only to those who built it but also to those who tolerate its existence and to the whole civilisation.

The Greek President expressed the hope that wisdom and good sense will soon prevail on the other side and that Turkey will realise that the wall that separates Nicosia also isolates Turkey from Europe.

Expressing certainty over the European future of Cyprus, President Stefanopoulos pointed out that everyone must realise that Cyprus's accession to the European Union will be beneficial to both communities. It must be realised that the prosperity that characterises the free part of Cyprus should one day be shared by the occupied part and concluded that all Cypriots have the right to prosperity and progress.

Receiving the gold key of the capital, Mr Stefanopoulos said that he looks forward to the day when a "real key will open the door and let people move freely from one side to the other".

In his welcoming address, the Mayor of Nicosia noted that the visit of the Greek President during a crucial period for Cyprus constitutes a proof of Greece's wholehearted support in the Republic's struggle for peace and justice. Mr. Demetriades emphasised the fact that Nicosia remains the only divided capital in the world. The existence of the wall is an insult to civilisation, he concluded.

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

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