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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-12-09
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Tuesday, 09 December 2003 President Papadopoulos satisfied with the
resolution on Cyprus adopted by CHOGM.
[02] Extract on Cyprus from the Resolution adopted by the Heads of
Government at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Nigeria
[03] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns the recent terrorist attack
in Russia
[01] President Papadopoulos satisfied with the resolution on Cyprus adopted
by CHOGM.
The President of the Republic Mr Tassos Papadopoulos returned from Nigeria
last night, where he represented Cyprus at the Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting. In statements to the press at Larnaca Airport, the
President expressed satisfaction with the reference to Cyprus in the final
Communique of CHOGM. "I consider it a satisfactory resolution. It covers
the issues which deal with the Cyprus problem", he said.
The President also said that in the next two days he would meet with the
political leadership to discuss pending issues concerning the Intergovernmental
Conference which begins next Friday in Brussels. Replying to questions on
the possibility of the resumption of the talks after the illegal "parliamentary
elections" in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, President Papadopoulos
said "We are ready for negotiations if and when the Secretary General calls
for them, on the basis of the Annan Plan", adding that before his departure
for Nigeria he had stated that, once the illegal elections in the occupied
areas were over, his intention "was to appeal to the UN Secretary-General
and ask him to convene a new round of negotiations based on his Plan".
The President explained that he had discussed this issue with the UN
Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan while in New York in September, as well as
with US State Department Coordinator Thomas Weston, during multiple
meetings. He also said that Mr Weston was expected to arrive on the island
in the next few days. Asked to comment on press reports that the Turkish
Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has prepared two plans that he wished to
submit at the talks, President Papadopoulos expressed the belief that the
Secretary General would not be willing to start negotiations on any other
basis other than his Plan. In reply to a question on Mr Denktash/s idea of
holding proximity talks, the President stressed that "the procedure as well
as the basis of the negotiations is determined by the United Nations and we
will adhere to them". Invited to comment on the statements made by Turkey's
Foreign Minister that a solution should be reached before 1st May 2004,
President Papadopoulos replied:
"This is our position too. We have repeatedly stated that we want, if
possible, a united Cyprus to accede to the EU, something which is in the
interest of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and Cyprus and the
European Union. I believe that it will be possible, if the Turkish attitude
and intransigence change, to find a solution, so that a united Cyprus can
accede to avoid various problems that might arise if Cyprus is not united
when it accedes to the European Union".
[02] Extract on Cyprus from the Resolution adopted by the Heads of
Government at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Nigeria
"20. Heads of Government welcomed the signing by the Republic of Cyprus of
the Accession Treaty to the European Union on April 16, 2003 and expressed
the wish that a solution of the Cyprus problem would be found before 1 May
2004 that would allow a reunited Cyprus to become a member of the European
Union. 21. Heads of Government reaffirmed their support for the independence,
sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Cyprus. 22. They regretted
that the latest effort of the United Nations Secretary General under his
mission of good offices in Cyprus collapsed at The Hague meeting on 10
March 2003 due to the negative approach taken by the Turkish Cypriot
leader. 23. They further regretted that the Turkish Cypriot leader
continues to maintain the same negative approach, thus hindering the
resumption of negotiations based on the Annan Plan.
24. Recalling and reaffirming previous UN Security Council Resolutions and
reaffirming their previous Communiques on Cyprus, Heads of Government
called upon all parties concerned and in particular Turkey and the Turkish
Cypriot leadership to co-operate fully with the UN Secretary General so as
to enable the early resumption of substantive negotiations based on the UN
Secretary General's proposals, aimed at the conclusion of a just, lasting
and functional settlement consistent with relevant UN Security Council
Resolutions."
[03] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns the recent terrorist attack
in Russia
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the following statement yesterday,
on the recent terrorist attack in Russia: "The bomb attack on a train in
the North of Caucasus on 5 December, which was carried out by Chechen
autonomists and which resulted in the loss of many human lives has shocked
the entire Cypriot community. Expressing the dismay of the Government and
the people of Cyprus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns this
terrorist attack. It considers the Chechens/ terrorist act criminal and
brutal and reaffirms its opposition to all forms of terrorism, irrespective
of their motives. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to express its
sympathy and sincere condolences to the Russian Government and the
relatives of the victims."
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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