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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-10-07
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Tuesday, 07 October 2003 President Papadopoulos meets Dutch Premier
[02] National Council supports participation of Turkish Cypriots in Euro-
elections
[03] Cyprus Government strongly condemns Haifa suicide bombing
[01] President Papadopoulos meets Dutch Premier
The President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, received this
morning the Dutch Prime Minister, Mr Jan Peter Balkenende, who is in Cyprus
on a two-day official visit as part of a tour of the new EU member states
in view of his country taking over the rotating Presidency of the EU in the
second half of 2004. Speaking after the meeting, President Papadopoulos
told reporters that he had a useful discussion with the Dutch Premier on
the prospects of Cyprus' EU accession course and the efforts to reach a
settlement of the Cyprus problem.
On his part, Mr Balkenende noted that the EU was looking forward to a
solution before May 2004, when Cyprus officially accedes to the Union. He
further said that a solution was dependent on Turkey's stance, and
expressed hope that “the Turkish authorities will also take up their
responsibility, as everybody has to take his responsibility, the UN, the EU,
all parties must be willing to find a solution”. Referring to Turkey's
aspiration to accede to the EU, Mr Balkenende clarified that the only way
for that to happen was by full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria.
The Dutch Premier and his multi-member delegation also held official talks
with the House President Mr Demetris Christofias, later this morning. They
are leaving Cyprus this afternoon.
[02] National Council supports participation of Turkish Cypriots in Euro-
elections
The National Council, the top advisory body to the President of the
Republic on the handling of the Cyprus issue, convened yesterday under the
chairmanship of President Tassos Papadopoulos to discuss the issue of the
European Parliament elections. The Government Spokesman Mr Kypros
Chrysostomides noted, speaking after the meeting, that the National Council
had examined the issue taking into consideration the deliberations of the
special committee set up for that purpose.
“The overall opinion is that the Turkish Cypriot citizens of the Republic
have the right and must be facilitated to participate in the European
elections, according to the law to be passed by the House of Representatives”,
Mr Chrysostomides said. He added that the National Council would define the
general principles of the proposed legislation, but the final form of the
relevant law would be decided by the Parliament. At the approval of the law,
an announcement would be made to Turkish Cypriots calling on them to
register in the electoral lists, the Spokesman further noted.
He also said that the members of the National Council were briefed on
President Papadopoulos' recent meetings with Greece's Prime Minister Costas
Simitis, in Athens, and with the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, US
officials and other foreign government representatives, in New York, as
well as on his participation in the opening session of the Intergovernmental
Conference in Rome.
[03] Cyprus Government strongly condemns Haifa suicide bombing
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus strongly condemns the suicide
bombing in Haifa, which caused the loss of innocent life and left a
considerable number of civilians injured. The Government and the people of
Cyprus would like to extend their deep condolences to the families of the
victims of this new abhorrent act of violence.
At the same time, the Ministry urges restraint on Israel and considers that
the recent Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, which is also condemned,
increases the tension and complicates the already precarious situation in
the Middle East. The Government of Cyprus calls on the parties to the
conflict to refrain from activities and actions that would further
jeopardize the Road Map of the Quartet.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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