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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-04-21

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]Monday, 21 April 2003 Greek Premier concludes Cyprus visit
  • [02] New Cyprus' High Commissioner to Malaysia

    [01] Greek Premier concludes Cyprus visit

    The Greek Prime Minister and President of the European Council, Mr Costas Simitis, departed from Cyprus on Saturday evening after a 24-hour visit to the island. Accompanied by the Greek Foreign Minister Mr George Papandreou and other Foreign Ministry officials, Mr Simitis visited Cyprus on the first stop of his pan-EU tour, encompassing the 14 Member States and the ten countries that signed the Accession Treaty in Athens on 16 April. The Greek Premier and his entourage were sent off at the airport by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, the Foreign Minister, Mr Georgios Iacovou, and the Government Spokesman, Mr Kypros Chrysostomides. During his stay on the island, Mr Simitis held talks with President Papadopoulos. A joint communique on the talks between Mr Simitis and Mr Papadopoulos stated, inter alia, the following: "Ways of better cooperation and coordination in the institutions of the European Union were discussed, as were practical ways of attaining synergies in the framework of the Convention for the Future of Europe which will determine the new institutional character and structure of the Europe of 25 members. It was also stressed that common efforts should be further intensified so that by May 1st 2004, Cyprus will be in a position to implement the acquis communautaire and to be fully aligned with all her institutional and contractual obligations, on the basis of timetables as they have been set by the European Union. During the talks there was a broad review of the Cyprus problem in the light of developments after the failure of The Hague talks, the report of the UN Secretary General to the Security Council and the recent Security Council resolution 1475 (2003). Views, information and assessments were exchanged and further handling and steps were agreed. The common commitment to the quest of a peaceful solution through negotiations was affirmed; and it was stressed once again that both governments maintain the position that the Annan plan constitutes a basis for negotiations for the finding of a workable and viable solution of the Cyprus problem in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and the principles on which the European Union is founded. At the same time, the support of the continuation of the good offices of the UN Secretary General in the framework of the Security Council mandate was underlined one more time. The conviction was expressed that the European Union and Cyprus' accession will contribute decisively to the solution of the Cyprus problem." The communique concluded by reaffirming the excellent and effective cooperation between Greece and Cyprus in all fields, adding that "a common target and common pursuit is, in addition to the active and credible participation of the two countries in the European and world events, to serve on the basis of common priorities, the best interests of the two countries". The Greek Premier also met, on Saturday, with the President of the House of Representatives, Mr Demetris Christofias, and addressed a special session of the House. In his speech before the House, Mr Simitis said that the success of 16 April reflected the efforts of the whole of the Cypriot people, the previous Cypriot leaderships, and the support of all political forces in Cyprus and the current President Mr Papadopoulos who bore the responsibility for the new course of Cyprus in the European Union. He further stressed that Cyprus had the prerequisites to strengthen its voice and influence developments within the EU, beyond the capability given to it by the size of its population and economy. At the same time, he noted that a reunited Cyprus would acquire its role as a dynamic EU partner much more easily than a divided Cyprus. With regard to the Cyprus problem, Mr Simitis expressed the position that the possibilities for a solution had not been exhausted, adding, "For the first time in the history of the Cyprus problem so many prerequisites have converged and such a momentum for a final solution was developed by the international and the European community". "The European course of Cyprus and the solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Annan plan are the two facets of a single logic and a single strategy which does not examine only what is currently the actual situation, but sees also the dynamics shaping up. Cyprus' decision to seek to join the European Economic Community was a creative change in the island's policy. Similarly, Greece abandoned its policy of denying the European aspirations of Turkey, achieving in this way the terms of the Helsinki decision. This twin initiative, i.e. the change in Cyprus' policy and the new policy of Greece had as a result the positive outcome of Cyprus' accession", Mr Simitis also said. On Turkey, he pointed out that it could not seek a place in the European family without recognising a member of that family. He also cited President Papadopoulos' commitment that the efforts for a settlement would go on after the signing of the Accession Treaty, and added that that was the message both he and Mr Papadopoulos were conveying to the Turkish Cypriot community. Following his speech at the House of Representatives, Mr Simitis met with leaders of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties, at the residence of the Greek Ambassador in Nicosia.

    [02] New Cyprus' High Commissioner to Malaysia

    Cyprus' High Commissioner to India, Mr Andreas Scarparis, recently presented his credentials to the King of Malaysia, The Yung Di-Pertuan Agong XII, as the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Malaysia, based in New Delhi. During the official ceremony, Mr Scarparis briefed the Malaysian Head of State and other officials on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem and the island's accession to the European Union. The King of Malaysia showed great interest in the Cyprus issue and the peace process, as well as in the benefits that would flow from the island's reunification in the economic, tourist and agricultural sectors.

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


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