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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 04-02-03
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Tuesday, 03 February 2004 National Council convenes to discuss latest
developments on Cyprus problem
[02] Irish EU Presidency pledges to assist towards a Cyprus settlement
[03] Annan to discuss Cyprus issue in Washington meetings
[04] EU citizens residing in Cyprus to register on electoral roll to vote
in Euroelections
[01] National Council convenes to discuss latest developments on Cyprus
problem
The President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, presided yesterday
over a meeting of the National Council, the top advisory body to the
President on handling the Cyprus problem. After the meeting, the Government
Spokesman, Mr Kypros Chrysostomides, made the following statement:
"At today's meeting of the National Council which was presided by the
President of the Republic, President Papadopoulos briefed in detail the
members of the Council on his recent meetings and talks with the Prime
Minister of Greece Mr Simitis, in Athens, and with the UN Secretary General
Mr Annan, in Brussels. The members of the National Council exchanged views,
evaluations and speculations on the current developments and prospects of
the Cyprus problem.
The discussion will continue at the following meeting of the National
Council which has been scheduled for next Monday at 9 am."
[02] Irish EU Presidency pledges to assist towards a Cyprus settlement
The Irish Presidency of the European Union has pledged to continue to
closely monitor developments on the Cyprus problem and to offer its
assistance towards a settlement. The above was affirmed during separate
meetings of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Georgios Iacovou, with the
Irish Prime Minister Mr Bertie Ahern and the Foreign Minister Mr Brian
Cowen, yesterday in Dublin. Mr Iacovou said he briefed his interlocutors on
President Papadopoulos' recent meetings with the UN Secretary-General and
the European Commission President in Brussels and called on the Irish EU
Presidency to closely monitor the situation in Cyprus and to be in contact
with the UN Secretary-General and the European Commission.
Speaking at a press conference after a meeting with his Irish counterpart,
Mr Iacovou stressed that the Greek Cypriot side was ready to resume talks
for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. "Our readiness to
proceed in talks was reaffirmed at the recent meeting of the President of
the Republic with the UN Secretary-General, during which President
Papadopoulos called on the SG to resume negotiations on the basis of his
plan the soonest possible with the aim to reach a comprehensive solution",
he added. The Irish Foreign Minister, Mr Cowen, said his country supported
the UN Secretary-General's mission of good offices and expressed the hope
that a settlement would be found the soonest possible so that Cyprus would
accede to the EU, on 1 May 2004, as a reunited country.
In addition to the Cyprus issue, the two Ministers also discussed issues of
mutual interest as well as current issues on the EU agenda, with particular
emphasis on the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC). Mr Cowen praised
Cyprus' constructive role in the IGC sessions and said he looked forward to
an enhanced cooperation between Ireland and Cyprus.
[03] Annan to discuss Cyprus issue in Washington meetings
The UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, will be in Washington D.C. today
for separate meetings with US President George W. Bush, Secretary of State
Colin Powell and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. State
Department Spokesman Richard Boucher noted during yesterday's press
briefing that the Cyprus issue would be one of the topics to be discussed
during Mr Annan's meetings in the State capital. Mr Boucher further said
Secretary of State Mr Powell had discussed the Cyprus problem by telephone
with both the UN Secretary-General and President Tassos Papadopoulos last
week. "So this is something that remains very important to us, to the
Secretary [Mr Powell] as well, and something that we continue to work", Mr
Boucher added.
[04] EU citizens residing in Cyprus to register on electoral roll to vote
in Euroelections
The Election Service of the Ministry of Interior has issued a press release
informing the citizens of the 15 EU member states and nine acceding
countries, who reside in Cyprus, that they can vote for the Republic's six
Euro MPs in the European Parliament elections, in June 2004, as long as
they register on the electoral rolls. Those interested need to submit an
application, accompanied by their ID documents, to the local District
Offices by 2 April 2004. For the application to be valid it must include
the citizenship of the prospective voter, proof that he holds his right to
vote in his country of origin as well as the last electoral list in which
he registered in his country of origin.
In addition, the application must include the address of the voter's
residence in Cyprus, the date since which he has been residing in the
Republic or another EU member state, and a statement that he will exercise
the right to vote only in Cyprus.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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