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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-10-16
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Thursday, 16 October 2003 Jean-Claude Juncker: Luxembourg has always
been supporting Cyprus' EU accession course
[02] Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary affirms high level of Cyprus-
China relations
[03] Cyprus' Representative to UN First Committee on Disarmament assures of
Republic's alignment with international conventions on disarmament
[01] Jean-Claude Juncker: Luxembourg has always been supporting Cyprus' EU
accession course
Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, has noted that his
government had always been supporting Cyprus' EU accession course and the
accession of a reunited country to the Union. Speaking yesterday during a
joint press conference with the President of the Republic, Mr Tassos
Papadopoulos, who was on a two-day official to Luxembourg, Mr Juncker said
he had told President Papadopoulos that everything should be done towards a
solution of the Cyprus problem so that a united island would join the EU on
1 May 2004. He pledged that his government would assist Cyprus after its
accession to the EU by bringing young Cypriot diplomats to Luxembourg and
training them on EU affairs based on Luxembourg's experience as one of the
first members of the Community.
"Concerning the IGC (Intergovernmental Conference), we have common
positions to defend, mainly as far as the minimum number of Members of
Parliament is concerned. Cyprus has been given the number of 6 MPs, the
same as Luxembourg. We do want our colleagues to understand that in no way
we can agree having our representation to the European Parliament reduced",
Mr Juncker noted. On his part, President Papadopoulos expressed his
gratitude to Luxembourg and Mr Juncker for making Cyprus a candidate state
for EU accession. "We do not forget that the first decision for the
beginning of accession negotiations was taken when Luxembourg held the EU
Presidency", Mr Papadopoulos said. He further said that Cyprus could
benefit from Luxembourg's experience as an EU member state, noting,
"Luxembourg has shown that small countries within the EU can perform
admirably the tasks of Presidency to the EU". Replying to questions,
President Papadopoulos pointed out that Cyprus had two priorities, "the
first one is to solve the Cyprus problem and the second to become a
constructive and useful EU member state and not to have the part of a
troublesome partner". He underlined that the Cyprus Government would make
everything possible to achieve a settlement by May 2004, but reminded that
"it takes two or perhaps three, including Turkey, for the solution of the
Cyprus problem".
[02] Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary affirms high level of Cyprus-
China relations
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Sotos
Zackheos, concluded his contacts in China, where he met with the Chinese
Foreign Minister, Mr Li Zhaoxing and the Assistant Foreign Minister, Mr Lu
Guozeng. During the meetings, the high level of relations between Cyprus
and China was asserted, and China's firm support of a solution of the
Cyprus problem on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions was reiterated.
There was also an exchange of views on regional issues, the Middle East
problem, and the situation in Iraq and North Korea. Mr Zackheos departed
for Moscow where he is expected to engage in political deliberations, today,
with the Russian Foreign Ministry.
[03] Cyprus' Representative to UN First Committee on Disarmament assures of
Republic's alignment with international conventions on disarmament
"Despite the continuing foreign occupation of almost 40% of the territory
of the Republic of Cyprus and the constant threat posed by some 40,000
occupation troops stationed on the island, the ratification of the Ottawa
Convention [on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and
Transfer of Anti-Personnel Landmines] comes as a concrete demonstration of
our political will for peace and reconciliation in Cyprus and as part of
our genuine commitment to international norms in the field of disarmament",
Cyprus' Representative to the UN First Committee on Disarmament, Mr Yiorgos
Christofides, has stated. Speaking before the Committee last Tuesday, Mr
Christofides made extensive reference to the issue of landmine clearing,
noting that "the Government of Cyprus has since 1983 cleared ten minefields
adjacent to the buffer zone and during the last two years destroyed more
than eleven thousand mines of various types".
"The President of the Republic of Cyprus, speaking before the General
Assembly last month, announced the Government's decision and firm
commitment first: to unilaterally start within the next two months, in
cooperation with the United Nations and the financial support of the
European Union, demining in the buffer zone and second: to unilaterally
proceed with the destruction of an appreciable amount of stockpiled anti-
personnel mines during the month of November this year", he added. On the
non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Mr Christofides pointed
out that, again, the Republic had ratified all relevant international
instruments. He further said that on 18 July 2003 Cyprus had deposited the
instrument of ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty,
and called for its early entry into force.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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