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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-07-15
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Tuesday, 15 July 2003 Cyprus House of Representatives ratifies
Accession Treaty of Cyprus
[02] European Commission congratulates Cyprus on the ratification of the
Treaty of Accession
[03] Cyprus is the first country among the 25 that has ratified the Treaty
of Accession
[04] Cypriots in Britain denounce coup and Turkish invasion and occupation
[01] Cyprus House of Representatives ratifies Accession Treaty of
Cyprus
The Cyprus House of Representatives unanimously ratified during a special
plenary session yesterday the Accession Treaty of Cyprus. The President of
the Republic Mr Tassos Papadopoulos said after the extraordinary House
session that the ratification of Cyprus' EU Accession Treaty may be the
most important historical moment after the establishment of the Republic of
Cyprus in 1960. President Papadopoulos said he was overjoyed because the
decision to ratify the Treaty was unanimous and expressed the conviction
that the EU appreciates the wide popular and political support of this
act. The President of the House of Representatives Mr Demetris Christofias,
in his speech before the House, said it was a historic day for the Republic
of Cyprus, another milestone bringing Cyprus closer to the conclusion of
the accession process in May 2004.
Mr Christofias thanked all those who worked hard to contribute to this
success: all the Governments of Cyprus which had in succession assumed this
difficult task and all the political parties; all the civil servants who
worked day and night sometimes under difficult conditions and in particular
Greece - its people, parliament and Government, current and previous, which
played a leading role ''as a whole-hearted and unequivocal supporter" of
the stable promotion of Cyprus/ accession course. Referring to the Cyprus
problem, the House President said that Cyprus' continuing division
"prevents us from sharing our success with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots",
but expressed the belief there was still time to implement the strategic
goal for a united Cyprus that would benefit all Cypriot citizens.
[02] European Commission congratulates Cyprus on the ratification of the
Treaty of Accession
The European Commission issued the following statement yesterday, on the
ratification of the Treaty of Accession by the Cyprus House of Representatives:
"The Commission congratulates Cyprus for the ratification of the Treaty of
Accession today. It demonstrates the strong will of Cyprus to join the
European family of democratic nations as a member of the European Union,
with equal rights and obligations. The Commission is confident that Cyprus
will play an important role in the development of the European integration
process and looks forward to it. Once in the EU, Cyprus will take advantage
of all the opportunities of membership. The Commission reiterates its
support for the efforts of the UN Secretary General in reaching a
comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem and calls for an early
resumption of the talks on the basis of his proposal. "
[03] Cyprus is the first country among the 25 that has ratified the Treaty
of Accession
The Head of the European Commission Delegation to Cyprus, Mr Adrian Van der
Meer, had a meeting yesterday with the Minister of Interior Mr Andreas
Christou, whom he congratulated on the ratification of the Accession Treaty
of Cyprus.
In a statement to the press after the meeting, Mr Van der Meer said he was
pleased he had the opportunity to warmly congratulate the Government, the
House of Representatives and the citizens of the Republic, for the
unanimous ratification of the Accession Treaty. He said Cyprus, was the
first country which had ratified the Treaty among the 25 and that was very
good news. Mr Van der Meer said he looked forward to welcoming Cyprus into
the EU, and considered very positive the fact that Cyprus wishes to play a
leading in Europe and in particular help the peace efforts in the Middle
East. Noting that the strategic goal remains for a united Cyprus to enter
the EU by 1st May 2004, he also assured that the EU would lend its full
support and, as mentioned in the Salonica European Council conclusions,
would do all it could in that direction. Invited to comment on the
proposals by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for the reopening of the
Nicosia Airport, Mr Van der Meer said the EU position was similar to the
one expressed by Great Britain. He stressed that for the EU the position
was very clear, namely that there can be only one way forward and that is
the Annan Plan because it tackles all the comprehensive elements and all
the core issues towards the settlement. Replying to a question on the issue
of trading of Turkish Cypriot goods on the island, Mr Van der Meer said the
EU is in favour of internal trade on the island and that it is working on
practical solutions together with the Cyprus Government.
For his part, the Minister of Interior expressed satisfaction with the
meeting during which he had the opportunity to exchange views with Mr Van
der Meer on the elections of the European Parliament that will take place
in June 2004. He thanked Mr Van der Meer for his support and help and for
the very useful information on the European Elections. Replying to a
question on whether the Turkish Cypriots would vote, Mr Christou said that
that was the aim and one of the issues discussed with the Mr Van der Meer.
The Cyprus Government will do everything possible to secure the participation
of the Turkish Cypriots, he said.
[04] Cypriots in Britain denounce coup and Turkish invasion and occupation
A large rally, organized by the Cyprus Federation of Great Britain, was
held in London's Trafalgar Square yesterday to mark the black anniversaries
of the military coup and the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in July 1974. The
President of the Cyprus National Federation in Great Britain Mr Haris
Sofoclides, accompanied by many Cypriots living in the UK stopped at the
Prime Minister's residence and handed a letter, calling for further
international pressure to be exerted on Turkey. Speaking at his year's
gathering, Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides pointed out that
Cyprus' accession to the EU does not mean that the Government shall give up
its sincere efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem; "On the contrary, we now
feel that it is all the more imperative to multiply our efforts to reverse
the tragic division of our country in a united Europe", he said. Mr
Chrysostomides said that despite the continuing intransigence of the
political leadership in Turkey and of their subordinate, Turkish Cypriot
leader Rauf Denktash, the Cyprus government reiterates its firm commitment
to exert every effort to achieve a peaceful, workable and viable solution
to the Cyprus problem, which will terminate the occupation, reunite the
people and the country that are divided today, in a united, and now
enlarged, European Union, as declared unequivocally by Cyprus President Mr
Tassos Papadopoulos. Several British parliamentarians from Britain's three
largest political parties as well as some British MEP's also addressed the
gathering. They expressed their support for the struggle of Cyprus against
the continuing Turkish occupation and the promotion of a just and viable
solution to the Cyprus problem, in accordance with the principles of
international law.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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