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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-05-12
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Monday, 12 May 2003 Turkish PM's visit to occupied areas is illegal,
says President Papadopoulos
[02] Foreign Minister hopes Cyprus' EU course will "sweep away" division
[03] Interior Ministry press release on support measures for Turkish
Cypriots
[04] Cyprus signs cultural exchange programme with Luxembourg
[01] Turkish PM's visit to occupied areas is illegal, says President
Papadopoulos
The President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, stressed last Friday
that the visit of the Turkish Prime Minister to the occupied areas of the
island was "illegal" and urged Mr Erdogan to persuade the Turkish Cypriot
leader, Mr Rauf Denktash, to return to the negotiating table for substantive
talks on the basis of the Annan Plan. President Papadopoulos' full
statement reads as follows: "The visit by the Turkish Prime Minister to the
occupied area is an illegal act by the political leader of a country that
invaded and has been occupying illegally and by force a large part of the
Republic of Cyprus, the independence, territorial integrity and security of
which was guaranteed by Turkey in 1960.
If Mr. Erdogan truly supports a just and viable solution to the Cyprus
problem and the good offices mission of the UN Secretary-General, as he
stated on his departure from Turkey today, he can turn this vague
declaration into a specific policy and action, by persuading Mr. Denktash
to return to the negotiating table for substantive talks, accepting the
Annan Plan as a basis for negotiations. The Greek Cypriot side reiterates
its willingness and readiness for direct and substantive negotiations under
the auspices of the United Nations on the basis of the Annan Plan, for the
finding of a solution in accordance with the relevant decisions of the UN,
as the President of the Republic asked in his letter to the Turkish Cypriot
leader on April 2, 2003. Greek and Turkish Cypriots have proven in practice
and by their behaviour in the last few days that they share the common
vision of a reunited country. The two communities can and should live
peacefully in a reunited country and a single state in the framework of a
bizonal and bicommunal federation. However, the recent lifting of the
restrictions imposed on the movement of citizens by the Turkish side in
1974 or the seeking of "good neighbourly relations" cannot be regarded and
do not constitute a solution to the Cyprus problem.
The political approach seeking the creation of two areas in Cyprus, each
with nationally homogenous population, clashes with the High Level
Agreements and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. Therefore,
quite justifiably Security Council Resolutions 541 and 550 consider the
declaration of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as null and void,
demand its revocation and call upon all states not to recognise it.
Experience gained throughout these years proves that the international
community neither recognises nor is about to accept the existence and
recognition of two sovereign states on the island. It was precisely this
insistence on the recognition of a second state on the island that led our
Turkish Cypriot compatriots to isolation, for which we bear no responsibility.
As a result of the occupation and division, the accession of Cyprus to the
European Union does not permit the implementation of the acquis communautaire
throughout the island. It was exactly the prospect of Cyprus' accession to
the European Union and the European course of Turkey, which we favour, that
led the United Nations to intensify its initiatives for a comprehensive
settlement, with the consent of everybody, including Mr. Denktash. I am
hopeful that these basic principles will be recognised as corresponding to
the present-day realities and from this recognition any developments in the
direction of the right, just, viable and workable solution to the Cyprus
problem will be determined."
[02] Foreign Minister hopes Cyprus' EU course will "sweep away" division
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr George Iacovou, expressed the hope that
the prospect of Cyprus' accession to the European Union, a prospect which
had already created "the first cracks in the artificial wall of shame",
would become "a torrent that will sweep away the dividing wall and reverse
the results of the invasion, occupation and violation of human rights".
In his message on the occasion of the Day of Europe, 9 May 2003, Mr Iacovou
noted, inter alia, the following: "The process of enlargement continues and
is irreversible. The signing of the Accession Treaty by the ten new members
in Athens on 16 April, was another giant leap in the efforts to bring down
the artificial walls erected by the Cold War, thus bringing Europe even
closer to its goal of full reunification. For the first time in its history,
it is possible to reconstruct a united Europe on the basis of common
principles and the values of freedom, democracy, respect of human rights
and the rule of law, shared by all its members. In parallel with its
enlargement, however, is the deepening of Europe. The European Union's
capability to function with 25 member states, to bridge the gap that
separates the European citizen and the European Institution, and to achieve
greater transparency and democratic legality, is a sign of the maturity
that would allow a united Europe to assume the leading role it deserves in
the efforts to establish world peace, stability and sustainable development."
On Cyprus, Mr Iacovou expressed his belief that "it is possible for a
unified Cyprus to accede to the European family in May 2004, which would
allow all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, to fully enjoy the
benefits and advantages of the European citizens, guaranteeing at the same
time a peaceful and safe future." He further added that "as a new member of
the European family, we will also continue to work towards establishing
stability in Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, thus actively contributing
to the completion of the vision of the founders of the European Union."
[03] Interior Ministry press release on support measures for Turkish
Cypriots
The Ministry of Interior has issued a press release on the Government's
support measures for Turkish Cypriots, stating the following:
1. All application forms in the Turkish language regarding passports,
identity cards and birth certificates are available at the District
Authorities and the Migration Department. At the aforementioned departments
and services of the Interior Ministry there are Turkish-speaking officers
available to assist Turkish Cypriots. 2. At all District Authorities there
are offices responsible for providing assistance to Turkish Cypriots. It is
stressed that so far there has been no problem in assisting Turkish
Cypriots. 3. As of today [9/5/2003], all the relevant information and
application forms in the Turkish language for the issuing of passports,
identity cards and birth certificates are posted on the web, and specifically
on the official website of the Republic of Cyprus at
and the website of the Press and Information Office at
.
[04] Cyprus signs cultural exchange programme with Luxembourg
Cyprus and Luxembourg have signed a Programme of Exchanges in the fields of
Science, Education, Culture and Youth, for a three-year period, 2003-2006.
The Programme falls along the framework of the Cyprus-Luxembourg Cultural
Agreement that was signed in Nicosia in September 1995.
The exchange programme was signed in Luxembourg last week by the Director
of Cultural Services of the Cypriot Ministry of Education and Culture, Mr
Stelios Hadjistyllis, and the Director General of Luxembourg's Ministry of
Culture, Youth and Sciences, Mr Guy Dockendorf. It provides for, inter alia,
giving away scholarships to students, from the two countries, who are
majoring in art, music, information technology and community law. The
programme also foresees the promotion of exchanges of artists and
scientists, as well as cooperation between the two countries in community
research programmes.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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