[04] New Cyprus Ambassador accredited to Spain
US State Department's Spokesman Mr James Foley reiterated yesterday his
country's commitment to a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus.
Replying to relevant questions Mr Foley said that "what we are endeavoring
to do is to persuade both sides to enter into negotiations without
preconditions under UN auspices."
The United Kingdom pledged to give its full support in UN Secretary
General's efforts to get negotiations underway. "We will continue to urge
all those with an interest in the Cyprus problem, including Turkey, to
cooperate with Kofi Annan constructively and flexibly", he said.
Replying to a letter on 13 September by British Parliamentarian Mr Tom Cox,
Britain's Foreign Minister, Mr Robin Cook welcomed the G-8 statement urging
the UN Secretary General to invite the leaders of the two sides into
comprehensive negotiations this Autumn.
Moreover Mr Cook stressed that Britain continues to believe that the "best
way to achieve a settlement is through a bicommunal, bizonal federation."
The leader of the Greek New Democracy Party Mr Konstantinos Karamanlis
stated yesterday that Cyprus which fulfills the accession criteria for EU
membership cannot be kept hostage to Turkey's plans.
Mr Karamanlis, who was speaking yesterday at a session of the Parliamentary
Group of the European Peoples' Party in Brussels, stressed that a political
settlement of the Cyprus question, as long as it is being hampered by the
Turkish Cypriot side, cannot be an obstacle to the Republic's accession
course and to the welfare of all Cypriots.
Ambassador Ms Athina Mavronicola has been accredited Cyprus' new Ambassador
to Spain. Ms Mavronicola presented yesterday her credentials to Spanish
King Juan Carlos in the presence of Spanish Foreign Minister Mr Abel
Matutes.
Accepting the credentials of the Republic's new Ambassador to Spain, King
Juan Carlos and Mr Matutes said their country continues to support Cyprus
in all international fora.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/