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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-06-25
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Wednesday, 25 June 2003 President Papadopoulos announces three
additional measures for Turkish Cypriots
[02] PACE adopts resolution on situation in occupied Cyprus
[01] President Papadopoulos announces three additional measures for Turkish
Cypriots
The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, received
yesterday the leader of the Turkish Cypriot political party "United Cyprus",
Mr Izet Izcan. Speaking after the meeting, President Papadopoulos told
journalists that, as regarded the Government's support measures for Turkish
Cypriots, there were three areas "creating unnecessary obstacles for the
Turkish Cypriots", and pledged to make efforts so that the situation could
improve. The first problematic area, the President noted, had to do with
the fine of £15 for the issuing of birth certificates, which had to be paid
by those who had delayed registering their children at the District
Officer. "This will be abolished in the effort to show the equality of both
Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots", Mr Papadopoulos said, expressing hope
that the relevant bill would pass by the Parliament tomorrow.
Another issue which was creating difficulties for Turkish Cypriots was the
daily insurance fee of £10 for every crossing by car into the government-
controlled areas. "Mr Izcan and his colleagues are demanding and are very
convincing that the charge of £10 daily for every crossing is an unbearable
burden on people who travel with their own cars in the free areas", the
President said and pledged to ask the Cabinet to prepare a bill and put it
before the House tomorrow, which would provide for the same amount of
insurance fee to cover a period of two months or longer. Thirdly, President
Papadopoulos made reference to the issue of allowing lorries, carrying
goods for purposes of internal trade, to cross into the free areas, saying
that without the passage of lorries, the transport of goods, and in extent
internal trade, would be impeded. "There are certain obligations we have
under the EU regime on such lorries, but we will try to pass also a law
this coming Thursday allowing for the passage of lorries as long as they
comply, either now or in the near future, with the obligations imposed by
the EU", he noted. The Cyprus President said that another issue discussed
during his meeting with Mr Izcan was the prospect of resuming negotiations
for a solution of the Cyprus problem.
"I repeated the decision of the National Council and our policy that we are
ready to commence talks and negotiations on the Annan Plan at any time,
anywhere and with no conditions attached. We have our reservation on the
Plan, some of which we discussed and we insist on. All these reservations
are within the parameters of the Plan, so negotiations are needed in order
to find a more viable and functional solution because the Turkish Cypriot
side has other views of the Plan", Mr Papadopoulos said. He further said
that he had assured his Turkish Cypriot friends that he would always be
ready to hear their suggestions on how to resolve problems and on ways of
rendering contacts of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots more smooth,
peaceful and productive for mutual benefit. "With this in mind, I hope we
will continue this dialogue", Mr Papadopoulos stressed. For his part, the
leader of the Turkish Cypriot party "United Cyprus", Mr Izet Izcan,
expressed satisfaction that he and President Papadopoulos had come to an
agreement on three issues which were causing difficulties for Turkish
Cypriots. He pointed out, however, that the measures could not substitute a
solution of the Cyprus issue. The Turkish Cypriot politician noted that
there was still a chance for reaching a settlement on the basis of the
Annan plan, and pledged to continue to "cooperate, work and support every
measure to help the understanding, the solution and rapprochement".
[02] PACE adopts resolution on situation in occupied Cyprus
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted
yesterday with an overwhelming majority a resolution on the rights and
fundamental freedoms of Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the Turkish-
occupied areas of Cyprus and a recommendation on the colonisation by
Turkish settlers of the northern part of the island. In Resolution 1333
(2003), adopted following a joint debate on a report by Mr Dick Marty
(Swiss MP) entitled "Rights and fundamental freedoms of Greek Cypriots and
Maronites living in the northern part of Cyprus", PACE expressed its
extreme concern with the status and living conditions imposed upon the
Greek Cypriot and Maronite communities living in the north and insisted
that "the Turkish Cypriot administration controlling the northern part of
the island, as well as Turkey which assumes de facto legal co-responsibility
in this part of the island, cease all humiliation of the Greek and Maronite
communities and put an end to the climate of intimidation". The Assembly
further demanded that the occupation regime and Turkey end the dispossessions
affecting members of these communities, ensure freedom of education and
worship for Orthodox Christians and Maronites, end the restrictions on
movement across the demarcation line, grant all inhabitants the right to an
effective remedy, ensure equal access to medical care, and permit the
communities to freely choose their representatives themselves. Furthermore,
in Recommendation 1608 (2003), adopted following a joint debate on a report
by Mr Jaakko Laakso (Finish MP) entitled "Colonisation by Turkish settlers
of the occupied part of Cyprus", PACE claimed that "it is a well-established
fact that the demographic structure of the island has been continuously
modified since the de facto partition of the island in 1974 as a result of
the deliberate policies of the Turkish Cypriot administration and Turkey",
and called on Turkey and its Turkish Cypriot subordinate local administration
in the occupied areas to stop the process of colonisation by Turkish
settlers. "Despite the lack of consensus on the exact figures, all parties
concerned admit that Turkish nationals have been systematically arriving in
the northern part of the island. According to reliable estimates, their
number currently amounts to 115,000", it was stated in the Recommendation.
The Assembly conveyed its position "that the presence of the settlers
constitutes a process of hidden colonisation and an additional and
important obstacle to a peaceful negotiated solution of the Cyprus
problem". PACE recommended that the Committee of Ministers instruct the
European Population Committee to conduct a census of the whole island's
population in co-operation with the authorities concerned, in order to
replace estimates with reliable data, and promote the idea of the creation,
with a contribution from the international community, of a Fund which would
ensure the financing of possible voluntary returns of the Turkish settlers
to Turkey.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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