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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-08-01
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Friday, 01 August 2003 Statements by the Government Spokesman
[02] Cyprus Finance Minister meets with his German counterpart
[03] European Court of Human Rights/ judgements are very important
[01] Statements by the Government Spokesman
Following a meeting of the National Council yesterday, chaired by the
President of the Republic Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, the Government Spokesman
Mr Kypros Chrysostomides made the following statement: "During today's
meeting of the National Council, which was scheduled for some time now,
there was a general briefing of the measures in support for the Turkish
Cypriots, their implementation and the difficulties that need to be dealt
with. The political leaders expressed their views, and exchanged ideas
and suggestions regarding the implementation of the measures."
Invited to comment on the Government's decision to purchase 1,500 tones of
grain cultivated from land owned by Turkish Cypriot farmers in the villages
of Potamia and Louroutzina, the Government Spokesman said that it was an
indication of good will on the part of the Greek Cypriot side and the
Government towards the Turkish Cypriots. Asked to comment on the statement
by the United Nations Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan that he does not
intend to undertake any new initiative unless the two sides in Cyprus
display "real and genuine" political will to move forward, Mr Chrysostomides
replied: "The position of the Greek Cypriot side remains the same; we are
ready, at any moment, whenever the Secretary General invites the parties,
to resume the talks on the substance and to negotiate on the basis of the
Annan plan in order to find a solution to the Cyprus problem."
[02] Cyprus Finance Minister meets with his German counterpart
The Minister of Finance Mr Marcos Kyprianou had a meeting yesterday with
the German Minister of Finance Mr Hans Eichel, who is currently in Cyprus
on an official visit. During the meeting the two Finance Ministers
discussed issues of common interest, the financial relations between the
two countries and issues relating to Cyprus' course to the European
Union. Speaking to the press afterwards Mr Kyprianou said that although Mr
Eichel/s visit is brief, nevertheless he has the opportunity to have a
first hand experience about the economic realities in Cyprus. He said that
during the talks he had with his German counterpart, they exchanged views
on various EU issues, including the European Monetary Union (EMU), EU
budgetary concerns, and matters relating to the Stability and Development
Pact. Moreover, they had the opportunity to discuss the issue of the
solution of the Cyprus problem and the financial aspect of it. He said that
Germany, a country that has gone though the experience of reunification,
has lived though the problems, the cost and the advantages, had agreed to
cooperate with Cyprus and offer technical assistance and advice.
"Europe will come closer to the Eastern Mediterranean once Cyprus joins the
European Union" Mr Kyprianou said and expressed the belief that Cyprus can
contribute to a new EU policy in the region. For his part, the German
Minister said that Germany and Cyprus are two countries that have suffered
from separation. He said that when he visited the Green Line that divides
Nicosia, he was reminded of a similar situation in his own country before
1989. Mr Eichel expressed his country's readiness to help Cyprus tackle
problems, economic or other, which might arise from the reunification of
the island. He agreed that there should be a meeting between German and
Cypriot experts to discuss ways in which reunification could be achieved.
He noted that although conditions may be different, there were common
issues which could be tackled by using the lessons of the German experience.
The German Minister said he would help enhance relations between Cyprus and
Germany by encouraging Germans not only to visit but also to invest in
Cyprus. Mr Eichel also referred to the enlargement of the EU and said that
the new members will give the EU a new dimension and the EU will have a
common border with Russia and will move much closer to the Middle
East. "'These countries which are closest to the region can help us
better understand developments in the Middle East and they are best placed
to help us formulate these policies and this is a big asset for the EU",
he said.
[03] European Court of Human Rights/ judgements are very important
Government Spokesman Mr Kypros Chrysostomides, following the meeting of the
National Council yesterday, made the following statement in relation to the
judgements by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), in the cases of
Eugenia Michaelidou Developments Ltd and Mike Tymvios versus Turkey and
Demades versus Turkey, regarding the violation of their right to have
access to and to use and enjoy their property in the occupied areas of the
Republic Cyprus. "The European Court of Human Rights issued two judgements
against Turkey in the cases of Ioannis Demades versus Turkey and Evgenia
Michaelidou Developments Ltd and Michael Tymvios versus Turkey regarding
the violation of their right to use and have access to their property which
is situated in the occupied by Turkish troops areas of the Republic of
Cyprus." The Government Spokesman said he considered the two judgements
very important.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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