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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-09-18
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Thursday, 18 September 2003 Iran supports a just solution to the Cyprus
problem based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions
[02] Greek Foreign Minister and US Secretary of State discuss the Cyprus
problem
[03] Germany supports Cyprus in its efforts for reunification, says German
MP
[01] Iran supports a just solution to the Cyprus problem based on the
relevant UN Security Council resolutions
The President of the House of Representatives Mr Demetris Christofias and
the members of the Cyprus parliamentary delegation, who are in Iran on an
official visit, were received yesterday by the President of the Islamic
Republic of Iran Mr Sejed Mohammad Khatami. The Iranian President said
during the meeting that his country attaches particular importance to its
relations with Cyprus, which can play an important role in efforts to solve
international problems and promote dialogue among civilizations.
Both Mr Christofias and Mr Khatami expressed the view that the visit of the
Cyprus Parliamentary delegation to Iran is an important event which will
further enhance the friendly relations between the two countries and
strengthen cooperation in all fields. Mr Christofias thanked Mr Khatami for
Iran's consistent and firm support for a just solution to the Cyprus
problem based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
He underlined that the Cyprus Government seeks a political solution before
the island's accession to the European Union on 1, May 2004, adding that
the negative stance of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and some
circles in Turkey did not allow for any progress to be achieved. Finding a
solution would be for the benefit of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish
Cypriots, who have a common country and common interests, he added. The
Cyprus Parliamentary delegation also met with Iran's Foreign Minister Mr
Kamal Kharrazi, who stressed that Iran supports a solution of the Cyprus
problem within the framework of the UN Security Council resolutions and the
Annan peace plan. The House President Mr Demetris Christofias and the
members of the Cyprus delegation, MPs Andros Kyprianou, Riccos Erotocritou,
Andreas Angelides and Giorgos Varnava, return to Cyprus today.
[02] Greek Foreign Minister and US Secretary of State discuss the Cyprus
problem
The Greek Foreign Minister Mr George Papandreou had a meeting, yesterday in
Washington, with the US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell, in which a
number of issues were discussed including developments in the Cyprus
problem. After the meeting Mr Papandreou stated the following in relation
to Cyprus:
"Of course, we also spoke about Cyprus. A great opportunity is opening up
in front of us next year, within the next few months to possibly see a
united Cyprus within a united Europe. This would, of course, also help
Turkey's accession ambitions and we can make this a win-win situation. So
we discussed this in some detail with Colin Powell. We talked in general
about EU-US relations. I think that the dialogue that began during our
Presidency some months ago is continuing in a positive way." Replying to a
question about the role the US intends to play on Cyprus Mr Papandreou said
that the US State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston
would continue his efforts and expressed the hope that conditions would
become mature to support again the UN Secretary General in his own
initiatives to solve the Cyprus problem.
[03] Germany supports Cyprus in its efforts for reunification, says German
MP
The President of the German-Cypriot Parliamentary Friendship Group, MP
Siegfried Helias, has expressed regret for the failed UN peace efforts in
Cyprus but underlined that the German Bundestag supported Cyprus in its
efforts for solution and reunification. Speaking after a meeting with the
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Georgios Iacovou, in Nicosia yesterday, the
German Parliamentarian noted that the main topic of discussion was the
Cyprus problem and future steps to be made towards a settlement.
Regarding Cyprus' accession to the European Union, Mr Helias said that
Germany welcomed the island as a partner in the EU and regretted the
likelihood of a divided Cyprus joining the Union on 1 May 2004. He also
expressed regret that "the Annan plan has not been crowned with success
yet", noting that the plan was a "very good basis for negotiations".
"Probably the Annan plan is not the final goal, but it is definitely the
proper basis [for a solution of the Cyprus problem]", the German MP said.
For his part, Foreign Minister Georgios Iacovou said he briefed the German
MPs on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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