|
|
|
Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 04-01-02
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Friday, 02 January 2004 President Papadopoulos expresses the wish that
the year 2004 will bring an end to the anachronistic and artificial
division of Cyprus
[02] Foreign Minister: Turkish Government has embarked on a public
relations campaign
[03] Foreign Ministry announcement on the issuing of visas to Russian
nationals
[01] President Papadopoulos expresses the wish that the year 2004 will
bring an end to the anachronistic and artificial division of Cyprus
"I wish from the bottom of my heart that the New Year will be creative and
productive and that it will open new horizons of growth, prosperity and
progress for all the legal citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, Greek
Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins", the President
of the Republic Mr Tassos Papadopoulos stated in his televised message to
the people of Cyprus, just a few hours before the arrival of the New Year.
The President said that the year 2004 would be one of serious challenges
and important opportunities and expressed the conviction and the wish that
"the new year will see the end of the anachronistic and artificial division
of our country and that the much desired reunification will come bringing
again hope and joy to the people of Cyprus, who have suffered so much
pain." President Papadopoulos promised that he would not spare himself of
any hard work or efforts to achieve the goal of reaching a solution to the
Cyprus issue. He underlined that in his letter to the UN Secretary-General,
he had reconfirmed "the steadfast and irrevocable will of the Greek Cypriot
side to engage in negotiations on the basis of the Annan Plan, whenever he
decides, with the aim to reach a more functional and viable solution to the
Cyprus problem, if it is possible before 1 May 2004." He pointed out that
the year 2004 would be a historic landmark for Cyprus since a vision of at
least three decades would be fulfilled, with the Republic of Cyprus
becoming a full member of the European Union, as of 1 May 2004, adding that
this achievement has been the greatest achievement of the people of Cyprus
since the declaration of the Republic of Cyprus. The President stressed
that although a great deal has been attained, yet a lot more needs to be
done. "With a constructive approach, a collective effort and the required
unity, on the basis of common targets and pursuits, I am optimistic that we
will manage to take full advantage of the opportunities offered to us but
also to fulfil our obligations towards the EU," he said. Concluding,
President Papadopoulos conveyed a message of friendship, and appreciation
to the Turkish Cypriots and expressed the hope that the New Year would
allow them to share with the Greek Cypriots the benefits and advantages
stemming from the accession of a reunified Cyprus to the EU.
[02] Foreign Minister: Turkish Government has embarked on a public
relations campaign
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr George Iacovou expressed the wish for a
solution to the Cyprus problem before 1st May 2004, so that a reunited
Cyprus can enter the EU. In a statement to the press on 31st December 2003,
Mr Iacovou expressed the view that there is mobility with regard to the
Cyprus problem. The Government is evaluating the Turkish moves and
statements related to the Cyprus problem and consider that at present the
Turkish Government has embarked on a public relations campaign which is
directed towards the United States and Europe, he said.
In reply to a comment that while the Cyprus Government is waiting for the
reply of the UN Secretary-General to the letter that was sent to him,
Ankara, is working out its own proposals, Mr Iacovou said that President
Papadopoulos, in his letter to the United Nations Secretary-General,
expressed his desire to restart negotiations on the basis of Annan plan.
This constitutes the firm position of the President of the Republic and the
Cyprus Government and has been expressed many times, he said. The Foreign
Minister further said that there were various leaks on the part of Ankara,
which he believed to be deliberate. The Turkish side has not clearly stated
that it is really willing to sit down at the negotiating table to find an
overall Cyprus settlement based on the Annan Plan, he added. Invited to
comment on the American stance on the Cyprus problem, Mr Iacovou said the
US accepts that the Annan plan can be negotiated and improved.
[03] Foreign Ministry announcement on the issuing of visas to Russian
nationals
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on 31 December 2003 that the
procedure of issuing Russian citizens with entry visas to Cyprus has begun
and that between 12.12.2003 and 30.12.2003, 1700 visas have been issued.
The Consular Section of the Cyprus Embassy in Moscow had remained open
during Christmas and Boxing Day, for issuing visas and will remain open to
the public on 2 and 3 January 2004, to facilitate the uninterrupted
travelling of Russian tourists to Cyprus on 4 and 5 January 2004. The
Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Moscow held a reception on 23 December
2003 for Russian Tourist operators, during which the Consul General
informed them about the procedure of implementing the system of granting
entry visas for Cyprus to Russian citizens of neighbouring countries, the
competency and responsibility of which lies with the Cyprus Embassy in
Moscow. The Consul General also replied to questions put forward by Travel
Agents and Tourist Operators. Relevant information material was handed to
all those present at the reception. Moreover similar material was sent by
post and electronic mail to tourist operators of neighbouring counties such
as the Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan,
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. The Foreign Ministry
announcement also stated that the Cyprus Embassy in Moscow would issue
visas to Russian nationals on the same day of submitting the application,
provided that the visa application is submitted in the morning. If an
application is submitted in the afternoon, then the visa is issued the
following morning.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
|
