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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-04-21
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Monday, 21 April 2003 Greek Premier concludes Cyprus visit
[02] New Cyprus' High Commissioner to Malaysia
[01] Greek Premier concludes Cyprus visit
The Greek Prime Minister and President of the European Council, Mr Costas
Simitis, departed from Cyprus on Saturday evening after a 24-hour visit to
the island. Accompanied by the Greek Foreign Minister Mr George Papandreou
and other Foreign Ministry officials, Mr Simitis visited Cyprus on the
first stop of his pan-EU tour, encompassing the 14 Member States and the
ten countries that signed the Accession Treaty in Athens on 16 April.
The Greek Premier and his entourage were sent off at the airport by the
President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, the Foreign
Minister, Mr Georgios Iacovou, and the Government Spokesman, Mr Kypros
Chrysostomides. During his stay on the island, Mr Simitis held talks with
President Papadopoulos. A joint communique on the talks between Mr Simitis
and Mr Papadopoulos stated, inter alia, the following:
"Ways of better cooperation and coordination in the institutions of the
European Union were discussed, as were practical ways of attaining
synergies in the framework of the Convention for the Future of Europe which
will determine the new institutional character and structure of the Europe
of 25 members. It was also stressed that common efforts should be further
intensified so that by May 1st 2004, Cyprus will be in a position to
implement the acquis communautaire and to be fully aligned with all her
institutional and contractual obligations, on the basis of timetables as
they have been set by the European Union. During the talks there was a
broad review of the Cyprus problem in the light of developments after the
failure of The Hague talks, the report of the UN Secretary General to the
Security Council and the recent Security Council resolution 1475 (2003).
Views, information and assessments were exchanged and further handling and
steps were agreed. The common commitment to the quest of a peaceful
solution through negotiations was affirmed; and it was stressed once again
that both governments maintain the position that the Annan plan constitutes
a basis for negotiations for the finding of a workable and viable solution
of the Cyprus problem in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions
and the principles on which the European Union is founded. At the same time,
the support of the continuation of the good offices of the UN Secretary
General in the framework of the Security Council mandate was underlined one
more time. The conviction was expressed that the European Union and Cyprus'
accession will contribute decisively to the solution of the Cyprus
problem." The communique concluded by reaffirming the excellent and
effective cooperation between Greece and Cyprus in all fields, adding that
"a common target and common pursuit is, in addition to the active and
credible participation of the two countries in the European and world
events, to serve on the basis of common priorities, the best interests of
the two countries". The Greek Premier also met, on Saturday, with the
President of the House of Representatives, Mr Demetris Christofias, and
addressed a special session of the House.
In his speech before the House, Mr Simitis said that the success of 16
April reflected the efforts of the whole of the Cypriot people, the
previous Cypriot leaderships, and the support of all political forces in
Cyprus and the current President Mr Papadopoulos who bore the responsibility
for the new course of Cyprus in the European Union. He further stressed
that Cyprus had the prerequisites to strengthen its voice and influence
developments within the EU, beyond the capability given to it by the size
of its population and economy. At the same time, he noted that a reunited
Cyprus would acquire its role as a dynamic EU partner much more easily than
a divided Cyprus. With regard to the Cyprus problem, Mr Simitis expressed
the position that the possibilities for a solution had not been exhausted,
adding, "For the first time in the history of the Cyprus problem so many
prerequisites have converged and such a momentum for a final solution was
developed by the international and the European community".
"The European course of Cyprus and the solution of the Cyprus problem on
the basis of the Annan plan are the two facets of a single logic and a
single strategy which does not examine only what is currently the actual
situation, but sees also the dynamics shaping up. Cyprus' decision to seek
to join the European Economic Community was a creative change in the
island's policy. Similarly, Greece abandoned its policy of denying the
European aspirations of Turkey, achieving in this way the terms of the
Helsinki decision. This twin initiative, i.e. the change in Cyprus' policy
and the new policy of Greece had as a result the positive outcome of
Cyprus' accession", Mr Simitis also said. On Turkey, he pointed out that it
could not seek a place in the European family without recognising a member
of that family. He also cited President Papadopoulos' commitment that the
efforts for a settlement would go on after the signing of the Accession
Treaty, and added that that was the message both he and Mr Papadopoulos
were conveying to the Turkish Cypriot community. Following his speech at
the House of Representatives, Mr Simitis met with leaders of Greek Cypriot
and Turkish Cypriot political parties, at the residence of the Greek
Ambassador in Nicosia.
[02] New Cyprus' High Commissioner to Malaysia
Cyprus' High Commissioner to India, Mr Andreas Scarparis, recently
presented his credentials to the King of Malaysia, The Yung Di-Pertuan
Agong XII, as the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Malaysia,
based in New Delhi. During the official ceremony, Mr Scarparis briefed the
Malaysian Head of State and other officials on the latest developments
regarding the Cyprus problem and the island's accession to the European
Union. The King of Malaysia showed great interest in the Cyprus issue and
the peace process, as well as in the benefits that would flow from the
island's reunification in the economic, tourist and agricultural
sectors.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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