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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-04-11

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

  • [01]Friday, 11 April 2003 Alvaro de Soto briefs Security Council on failed Cyprus peace efforts
  • [02] Cyprus protests to UN for Secretary-General's human rights report
  • [03] Italy pledges to contribute towards Cyprus settlement during EU Presidency
  • [04] New Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus presents credentials to President

    [01] Alvaro de Soto briefs Security Council on failed Cyprus peace efforts

    The failure to reach an agreement on a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the Annan plan, "seems attributable to failings of political will rather to the absence of favourable circumstances", the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Mr Alvaro de Soto, told the Security Council in an open briefing yesterday. In his presentation, Mr de Soto noted that the Cyprus problem was the oldest item continually on the Secretary-General's peace-making agenda, adding that "it is difficult to see a set of circumstances for achieving a settlement as propitious as that which prevailed in the last three and a half years". He further said that Mr Kofi Annan had been deeply involved in the Cyprus peace-effort, with the strong support of the Security Council, and that "a fair and honourable package, comprehensive in approach and only needing technical finalisation" had been on the table. "The fact that a solution has not been achieved in these circumstances is therefore deeply disappointing", the UN official added. Referring to the "unique opportunity" that had been missed, Mr de Soto said, "The immediate losers are the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey, but the Greek Cypriots and Greece are also losers - this is truly a lose- lose outcome". With regard to future efforts for a settlement, he stressed that "the onus is on the parties - and the motherlands - to demonstrate the political will to solve the problem on the basis of his [Mr Kofi Annan] plan, in the manner which the Secretary-General has suggested". "Mr Papadopoulos [Cyprus President] restated in the most clear terms that he remains committed, even after April 16, to finding a solution within the parameters of the Annan plan", Mr de Soto said and called on the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktash, "to indicate that he accepts the Secretary-General's plan as the basis for a further negotiating process". After Mr Alvaro de Soto's briefing, the Security Council moved into closed informal consultations on Cyprus, with a view to passing a resolution on the Cyprus peace process by the beginning of next week. Meanwhile, the Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan underlined that prior to offering further assistance towards a Cyprus settlement, he would have to see "a change in attitude and a genuine desire to move forward on all sides".

    Replying to a press question upon his arrival to UN Headquarters, yesterday before the start of the Security Council briefing session, Mr Annan said, "I need to see a genuine desire change on the part of all the parties to want to settle this issue. I think in the report I made it clear why we didn't make progress and what I believe needs to be done for us to go forward. I also indicated that when I see a change in attitude and a genuine desire to move forward on all sides I will be prepared to see what I can do to help."

    [02] Cyprus protests to UN for Secretary-General's human rights report

    The Cyprus Government, through its Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Mr Alexandros Vikis, has strongly protested to the UN High Commission for Human Rights for the Secretary-General's latest report on the human rights situation in Cyprus. The report fails to ascribe responsibility to Turkey for human rights violations in Cyprus, as regards the humanitarian issues of missing persons, refugees and the enclaved. In addition, no reference is being made to the Turkish policy of colonisation in the occupied areas of the island, the deliberate alteration of the demographic structure of Cyprus, and the restrictions in free movement imposed by the illegal occupation regime in the north. The Government is examining additional ways of making its discontent with the report known to the members of the Human Rights Commission, as well as other ways of exposing Turkey's human rights violations in Cyprus.

    [03] Italy pledges to contribute towards Cyprus settlement during EU Presidency

    The Italian Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr Roberto Antonione, who is in Cyprus on a two-day official visit, pledged that "Italy will do its utmost to contribute as much as possible for a solution", once it assumed the rotating EU Presidency in July 2003. Speaking after a meeting with Cyprus Foreign Minister, Mr George Iacovou, yesterday in Nicosia, Mr Antonione expressed satisfaction that Cyprus and Italy shared common views on issues of mutual interest, and added that during the Italian Presidency of the European Union, bilateral cooperation would be enhanced. On his part, Mr Iacovou expressed certainty that Italy would continue its policy of support towards Cyprus during its six-month term at the EU Presidency.

    The Italian official also met yesterday with the Chief Negotiator for Cyprus' accession to the EU, Mr Takis Hadjidemetriou.

    [04] New Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus presents credentials to President

    The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, received yesterday, during a formal ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the credentials of the new Ambassador of China to Cyprus, Mr Limin Zhang. Presenting his credentials, the Chinese Ambassador reassured President Papadopoulos that his country supported the efforts of the UN Secretary- General in resolving the Cyprus issue, adding, "As a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, China stands ready to work with the rest of the international community and continue to play a constructive role in this regard." Ambassador Zhang expressed satisfaction that despite geographical distance, China and Cyprus shared friendly relations and a sound cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. He also said China was ready to work together with Cyprus in order to further strengthen those friendly ties. Receiving the credentials, President Papadopoulos expressed Cyprus' "deep gratitude and sincere appreciation for the steady and unwavering support that the People's Republic of China has been extending to Cyprus, especially concerning the Cyprus problem". He added that such support "becomes all the more crucial, given the efforts of Turkey to undermine the political status and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus." Referring to the UN-led peace efforts, Mr Papadopoulos noted, "The many compromises and painful concessions we made so far have not been reciprocated by Turkey and the Turkish side. The latest initiative by the UN Secretary-General is a clear manifestation of this attitude". He further stressed that despite the failure to reach a settlement, "we are determined to continue our efforts with the aim of reaching a viable and workable solution, through negotiations within the framework of the mission of good offices of the UN Secretary-General, on the basis of the relevant Security Council Resolutions".

    From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/


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