Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-03-06

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

Wednesday, 6 March 2002

CONTENTS

• [01] Government expresses satisfaction with Commonwealth communique
• [02] Statement by the Government Spokesman regarding the US State Department Human Rights Report on Cyprus (2001)
• [03] Cyprus and Lebanon will reach an agreement on the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone

[01] Government expresses satisfaction with Commonwealth communique

"The Government expresses its satisfaction with the reference on Cyprus and especially with the fact that it defines that the solution of the Cyprus problem should be based on the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. It also states that the settlement of the Cyprus problem should secure the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of a reunited Cyprus.

These references should be evaluated in the light of the fact that they are made at a time when the talks on Cyprus are in process and consequently outlining the framework on which the negotiations and the solution of the Cyprus problem must be based is very significant".

[02] Statement by the Government Spokesman regarding the US State Department Human Rights Report on Cyprus (2001)

More specifically the following points are noted:

It is underlined in a clear way that the "TRNC" is not recognised by the United States or any other country except Turkey. A reference is also made to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights and in particular to the specific ruling that 'Turkey is responsible for violations of human rights in Cyprus stemming from the 1974 Turkish military intervention'. There is also a reference to the fact that the decision rejected the Turkish argument that the "TRNC" is an independent state and instead ruled out that it is 'a subordinate local administration of Turkey operating in Northern Cyprus'. However, no reference is made to the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, which regard null and void the declaration of independence of the "TRNC".

In general, the report describes the situation, regarding the respect of human rights in the Government controlled part of Cyprus, as satisfactory, even though according to the report there is a reference to occasions when there were violations of these rights.

The report, like previous reports, includes several inaccuracies, which the Cyprus Government will point out to the US, as it has done in the past, to avoid repetition.

At this stage, the report is being studied in depth with the aim of assessing, in detail, the points made."

[03] Cyprus and Lebanon will reach an agreement on the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone

The above was stated after a meeting with the Lebanese Energy and Water Minister Mr Mohammad Abdel Hamid Beydoun, who is on an official visit to Cyprus, heading a large delegation.

Mr Rolandis pointed out that the Cyprus Government has continued its contacts with neighbouring countries in order to define the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus and that there had already been discussions with Egypt and Syria. He also noted that another issue that was being discussed, was the possibility of Cyprus becoming the base for liquefying natural gas and selling it to European and mainly Mediterranean markets.

He said that at the meeting with Mr Beydoun, they discussed natural gas issues, since Lebanon would be buying natural gas from the Egypt - Syria pipeline, which would also supply Cyprus. They also examined the possibility of cooperation between the Middle East Airlines and Cyprus Airways. Mr Rolandis explained that, at present, Cyprus and Lebanon are the only two countries of the region, which do not fly directly to the United States, and that a common effort by the two airlines could contribute to the solution of this problem.

On his part, Mr Beydoun referred to the long historic relations that exist between Cyprus and Lebanon and to the fact that for decades many Lebanese citizens, mainly due to the unstable situation in their country, have been employed in various sectors of the Cyprus economy. He also expressed the hope for the successful conclusion of the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone.

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

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