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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-09-19
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Friday, 19 September 2003 House President concludes Iran visit
[02] Foreign Minister to attend memorial service for Anna Lindh
[03] Cyprus participates in first autonomous EU peacekeeping operation in
Congo
[04] New Ambassadors to Cyprus present credentials
[01] House President concludes Iran visit
The President of the House of Representatives, Mr Demetris Christofias and
the members of the Cyprus parliamentary delegation returned yesterday to
Cyprus following a four-day official visit to Iran, where they had held
talks with, inter alia, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr
Sejed Mohammad Khatami, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Mr Kamal Kharrazi and
the President of the Iranian Parliament, Mr Mehdi Karroubi. Speaking upon
arrival at Larnaca Airport, Mr Christofias said that his talks with Iranian
officials had proved that Cyprus and Iran shared similar positions on
regional issues and had a common interest in ensuring security, respect for
independence and territorial integrity of nations and compliance with the
UN Charter. He also said that he had ascertained the willingness of his
Iranian interlocutors in promoting further bilateral relations and
cooperation in the fields of politics, economics, trade and culture.
Referring to Iran's role as a member of the Organisation of the Islamic
Conference (OIC) as regards the Cyprus problem, Mr Christofias noted that
the Iranian President had assured him of Iran's firm support in a solution
of the Cyprus problem based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
"This is a significant and timely assurance since the Islamic Conference
will be held soon in Kuala Lumpur", he added. Mr Christofias further said
that he had invited his Iranian counterpart to visit Cyprus.
[02] Foreign Minister to attend memorial service for Anna Lindh
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Georgios Iacovou, will be attending
today, on behalf of the Cyprus Government, the formal memorial service of
the assassinated Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh. Speaking yesterday at
Larnaca Airport prior to his departure for Stockholm, Mr Iacovou said that
the Cyprus Government had a duty to be represented at the funeral since
Anna Lindh was a very popular political figure throughout Europe and she
had supported Cyprus in its EU accession course and the efforts for a
settlement. He added that the Cyprus Government was grateful for Lindh's
support. The Honorary President of the Social Democrats Movement EDEK, Mr
Vassos Lyssarides, will also attend the memorial service, representing EDEK,
at the invitation of Sweden's Social Democratic Party of which Anna Lindh
was a member.
[03] Cyprus participates in first autonomous EU peacekeeping operation in
Congo
The Republic of Cyprus, within the framework of its participation in the
European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) of the European Union's Common
Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), has taken part in the peacekeeping
operation "ARTEMIS" in Bunia, Congo, which was carried out between June and
September 2003. Cyprus was represented in the operation with Lieutenant-
Colonel Kyriakos Georgiou who was posted at the headquarters of "ARTEMIS"
in Paris. Operation "ARTEMIS" was the first autonomous military mission of
the EU, carried out without the use of NATO infrastructure, and was aimed
at restoring security and improving humanitarian conditions in Bunia,
Congo. It was successfully concluded on 1 September 2003, when the United
Nations took over.
Taking part in the operation were approximately two thousand officers and
soldiers from 17 countries - EU member states, acceding countries and
candidate states.
[04] New Ambassadors to Cyprus present credentials
The President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, accepted yesterday
the credentials of three new Ambassadors to Cyprus. The new Ambassador of
the Arab Republic of Egypt to Cyprus, Mr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdel Hakam, said,
presenting his credentials, that his country supported a solution of the
longstanding Cyprus problem on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions
which guaranteed the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Cyprus. "Egypt welcomes the accession of Cyprus to the European Union and
it considers it as an asset and historic achievement because we are sure
that Cyprus will be the bridge of cooperation and understanding between
Europe and the Arab world", he added.
The new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Jordan, Mr Atef Halasa, who will be
stationed in Athens, noted that Jordan and Cyprus shared the same
principles of democracy, plurality, respect for human rights, and peaceful
settlement to all conflicts. He also congratulated President Papadopoulos
for Cyprus' EU accession, adding that that would also strengthen Jordan's
relations with the Union. The new Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam, stationed in Tripoli, Mr Nguyen Van Linh, said that "despite the
big distance between the two countries, Vietnam and Cyprus in their heart
and soul are very close to each other and have all along maintained strong
bonds of friendship and cooperation".
"We welcome the goodwill of the Cyprus Government to reduce the tension in
the island and support the peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem on the
basis of the United Nations resolutions on Cyprus in order to maintain the
unity and integrity of Cyprus with two communities and two zones", the
Vietnamese Ambassador noted. Accepting the credentials of the three new
Ambassadors, President Papadopoulos wished them every success in their
posts and said he looked forward to a closer cooperation with them in order
to promote bilateral relations. He also informed them on the latest
developments regarding efforts to reach a settlement of the Cyprus
problem.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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