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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 02-09-23Cyprus 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/>Monday, 23 September 2002CONTENTS[01] Cypriot FM addresses UN General Assembly"The time to engage in a serious, meaningful dialogue is now, in view of the unique convergence of positive factors such as the renewed interest of the international community, the personal involvement and commitment of the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan and the European Union accession process of Cyprus".Cypriot Foreign Minister, Mr. Ioannis Kasoulides, addressing the 57th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday, called upon Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership "to heed the call of the international community and abandon its unacceptable policy of division and communal segregation" and "take advantage of the window of opportunity that is now available for the achievement of a just and viable settlement to the Cyprus problem, based on Security Council resolutions, which represent the verdict and collective wisdom of the international community". Mr. Kasoulides also said that the Turkish side's "position for a 'two sovereign states' solution and the denial of the rights of the refugees to their properties represent an anachronism in a globalised world" and added that "such a policy cannot lead to a settlement or reconciliation, thus perpetuating the suffering and the plight of all Cypriots". Pledging Cyprus' devotion to the principles of the UN Charter and UN Resolutions, Mr. Kasoulides pointed out that in the case of Cyprus, "numerous resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council have yet to be implemented". "Contrary to its obligations under the Charter, Turkey shows its defiance by calling for the acceptance of the so-called 'realities', brought about by its aggression", he added. Referring to the vision for Cyprus, the Foreign Minister noted: "We see the future of our country as a reunited federal State, member of the European Union, with the fundamental human rights and fundamental freedoms of each and every citizen fully protected". He also expressed the belief that "the overwhelming majority of Turkish Cypriots share this vision and long for reunification, and a common future in the European Union, with all the safeguards of a modern, democratic and effective State". With regard to the UN-led direct talks, Mr. Kasoulides said that the President of the Republic, Mr. Glafcos Clerides, "who has been participating in the talks in a constructive and positive manner, earning the respect of the international community, will continue to show the same determination and farsightedness, so as to fully safeguard the interests of Cyprus and its people". On the issue of terrorism, the Cypriot Minister expressed Cyprus' commitment to the fight against terrorism through the full implementation of all relevant decisions, and its belief "in the necessity of global mobilization and collective action against terrorism, under the aegis of the United Nations". Regarding the "fragile" situation in the Middle East, Mr. Kasoulides communicated Cyprus' support of "all initiatives towards a just settlement, based on international law and UN resolutions, including those of the Quartet". Finally, the Minister referred to the important role of the United Nations in the field of disarmament and said that Cyprus "will continue to support international action aimed at strengthening multilateral instruments on disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction". [02] House President meets Portuguese counterpart in LisbonThe President of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimitris Christofias, met on 19 September in Lisbon with his Portuguese counterpart, Mr. Joao Bosco Mota Amaral. The meeting, which was conducted in a friendly atmosphere and a spirit of mutual understanding, was also attended by representatives of all parties of the Portuguese Parliament as well as members of the Portugal-Cyprus friendship group.Mr. Amaral assured Mr. Christofias that the Parliament as well as the Government of Portugal give their full support to Cyprus, in its struggle for the implementation of the UN Resolutions, in the reunification of the island and its people, and the accession of the island to the European Union, irrespective of a solution to the Cyprus problem, as provided by the Helsinki decision. All the members of Parliament present also expressed their full support. Mr. Christofias thanked Mr. Amaral for the warm welcome he received, and for the continuous support of the Portuguese Government for a just solution to the Cyprus problem based on the principles of international law, as well as for Cyprus' accession to the EU. Mr Christofias invited his counterpart for an official visit to Cyprus, which was accepted. The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of Cyprus to Lisbon, Mrs. Thalia Petrides and the Director of the Office of the President, Mr. Vassos Georgiou. [03] Commerce Minister holds meetings in BeirutCypriot Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Mr. Nicos Rolandis, had meetings on Friday with the Lebanese President, Mr. Emile Lahoud and Prime Minister, Mr. Rafiq Hariri, during an official visit he was conducting in Lebanon at the invitation of the Lebanese Energy and Water Resources Minister, Mr. Mohammad Abed El Hamid Baidoun.Mr. Rolandis discussed ways to reinforce bilateral relations and conveyed President Clerides' greetings to the two men. On his turn, President Lahoud asked the Cypriot Minister to convey once again to President Clerides an invitation to visit the country. Mr. Rolandis also met with the Lebanese Minister of Tourism, Mr. Karam Karam and the Director of Civil Aviation, Mr. Hamdi Chok, with whom he discussed ways to cooperate in the field of tourism, with particular emphasis on the cooperation between Cyprus Airways and the Lebanese Airlines to launch direct flights to the United States. The Cypriot Minister also met with the Lebanese Finance Minister, Mr. Basel Flaihan and the Energy and Water Resources Minister, and discussed issues pertaining to the exclusive economic zone, oil and natural gas. [04] New Cypriot Ambassadors in Ireland and Czech RepublicThe New Ambassador of Cyprus to Ireland, Mr. A. Kakouris, presented his credentials to the Irish President, Ms. Mary McAleese, last Wednesday.The Cypriot Ambassador conveyed President Clerides' greetings and thanked the Irish President for her country's support in the efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and for acceding to the European Union. Ms. McAleese made reference to the warm relations between the two countries and expressed certainty that these relations would be further reinforced once Cyprus becomes member of the EU. Furthermore, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the Council of Europe, Mr. Christoforos Yiangou, presented his credentials to the Czech President, Mr. Veclar Havel, last Tuesday, as the New Ambassador of Cyprus to the Czech Republic. Mr. Yiangou conveyed President Clerides' greetings to Mr. Havel and underlined the need for further cooperation between the two countries in view of their common EU accession course. The Czech President reciprocated the greetings and pledged his country's support in the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem. 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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