[01]

Speaking during the ceremony Mr Neophytou said that the agreement opens prospects for further cooperation between the two countries, which have a mutual aim and vision, their accession in the same European family.

On his part Mr Bergauer said that the agreement would undoubtedly contribute in reinforcing commercial and tourism exchanges between Cyprus and Slovenia.

[02]

Their deplorable living conditions, the violation of their basic human rights, instances of degrading treatment, their continuing suffering and plight, are documented in the annexed memorandum entitled "The living conditions of the enclaved Cypriots in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus."

In his letter Mr Zackheos recalls the Vienna Humanitarian Agreement of 2 August 1975 reached under United Nations auspices, by which the Turkish side agreed that the enclaved would be given "every help to lead a normal life, including facilities for education and for the practice of their religion, as well as medical care by their own doctors and freedom of movement in the north."(Vienna III Agreement Par.2)

He also referred to the 1995 UN Peacekeeping Force recommendations for the improvement of their living conditions. The Turkish side, Mr Zackheos stressed, has failed to implement these agreements and the situation remains unchanged.

Mr Zackheos drew special attention to the European Commission of Human Rights Report of 4 September 1999, which attests to this unacceptable situation and places heavy moral and legal blame on Turkey. In its conclusions the report stresses that if the situation is not reversed, the Greek Cypriots and Maronites will be ethnically cleansed from the occupied area.

In view of the above situation, Mr Zackheos requests that the Secretary General takes all the necessary steps to bring to an end to the unacceptable living conditions of the enclaved.

The letter and its annex circulated as a document of the General Assembly and of the Security Council.

[03]

In his letter dated 2 November 1999, addressed to the United Nations Secretary General, the Cyprus Ambassador stressed that these provocative acts demonstrate once more Turkey's blatant disregard of international law, the United Nations Charter and all relevant UN decisions on the question of Cyprus.

"Such actions", he underlined, "take place at a time when the international community is expecting a different attitude from the Turkish side, more specifically a positive response for the convening of comprehensive negotiations for a just settlement of the Cyprus problem, as called for in Security council resolution 1250 of 29 June 1999"

The letter circulated as a document of the General Assembly and of the Security Council.

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

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