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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-07-14

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, 14 July 2003 Denktash's moves are a diversion from UN efforts to find a settlement, says President Papadopoulos
  • [02] President's statement on proposals by the Turkish Cypriot leader
  • [03] Confidence building measures cannot be a substitute for settlement, says British Minister

    [01] Denktash's moves are a diversion from UN efforts to find a settlement, says President Papadopoulos

    The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, has said the international community recognised that the moves by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktash, and, in particular, his recent proposals for the reopening of the Nicosia Airport, were in essence a diversion from the UN peace process and an attempt to mislead the international public opinion. Speaking yesterday at Larnaca Airport, upon his return from the US where had undergone medical examinations, President Papadopoulos said that Mr Denktash's recent proposals for confidence building measures were anticipated and fell within the framework of the Turkish side's strategy launched after the collapse of the talks at The Hague last March. Outlining that strategy, Mr Papadopoulos noted that the Turkish Cypriot leader continued to insist that the existing status quo constituted a solution of the Cyprus issue and the only thing remaining was the establishment of 'good neighbourly relations'. "On that basis, he [Mr Denktash] keeps inviting us for talks and all his so-called initiatives aim at achieving that and only that", he added. Replying to press questions, Mr Papadopoulos noted that the National Council would convene today to examine the proposals by the Turkish Cypriot leader and prepare a reply to his letter. He further reiterated the official position of the National Council, namely that the Greek Cypriot side was ready and willing to resume talks for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Annan plan. Asked whether he anticipated any new initiative by the international community in the Fall, President Papadopoulos expressed the belief that at the moment there were no prospects for the resumption of the talks. He stressed, at the same time, that the Greek Cypriot side's intention was to achieve the resumption of the talks on the basis of the Annan plan, the soonest possible, so that a reunited Cyprus would join the EU in May 2004.

    [02] President's statement on proposals by the Turkish Cypriot leader

    President Papadopoulos has noted that the proposal of the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to reopen the Nicosia Airport was part of the Turkish side's tactic of maintaining the occupation regime on the island and establishing 'good neighbourly relations'. In a written statement issued last Friday following Mr Denktash's letter of proposals to the UN Secretary- General, the President reiterated the Greek Cypriot side's readiness to resume talks on the basis of the Annan plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, and said he had called a National Council meeting for today, Monday, to assess the Turkish Cypriot leader's letter and proposals. The statement, which was read out to journalists last Friday by the Government Spokesman Mr Kypros Chrysostomides, is as follows: "Mr Rauf Denktash has withdrawn from the bicommunal talks, on 10 March 2003 at The Hague, since he rejected the Annan plan as a basis for negotiations to find a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. Instead of talks for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, Mr Denktash has since then launched, in full cooperation with Ankara, a new strategy for maintaining the occupation regime and establishing just 'good neighbourly relations'. The talks he [Mr Denktash] is proposing for the reopening of the Nicosia Airport, and possibly other measures, are incorporated into this strategy. Indeed, for the lifting of the illegal blockade by the occupation troops, he is seeking in return the lifting of what he unfoundedly and arbitrarily calls an 'embargo' against the Turkish Cypriots. It is worth reminding that the confidence building measures, discussed in 1993-1994, had collapsed due to Mr Denktash's insistence then to have a separate state entity and sovereignty of the pseudostate recognised. I reiterate our firm policy, which constitutes an almost unanimous position of the National Council, that we remain always ready and willing to resume talks on the basis of the Annan plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem that will lift the division and bring about a reunited Cyprus, where the entire people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, will enjoy equally the benefits of peace and prosperity in the context of a single state with a common sovereignty. I have called for a meeting of the National Council, next Monday, to examine and take a decision on the wider issue raised by Mr Denktash's letter and, in particular, the proposal for the reopening of the Nicosia Airport."

    [03] Confidence building measures cannot be a substitute for settlement, says British Minister

    The British Minister of State for Europe, Mr Denis MacShane, has noted that confidence building measures could not be a substitute for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Annan plan. Replying to questions on Cyprus at the House of Commons last week, Mr MacShane said that the proposal by the Turkish Cypriot leader for the reopening of the Nicosia Airport was "an issue for the two sides to discuss within the context of the measures introduced in response to the partial lifting of the restrictions on the freedom of movement". "We welcome all efforts to improve relations between the two communities, which have demonstrated that Greek and Turkish Cypriots can live together peacefully. However, confidence building measures cannot be a substitute for a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the UN plan", the British Minister added. Replying to another question on the rights of Turkish Cypriots resident in occupied Cyprus after Cyprus would join the EU, Mr MacShane pointed out that "Cypriot nationals, wherever they may reside, will have the same rights as current EU nationals to live and work in any of the existing member states from accession. Like current EU nationals, they will be able to remain in the UK for as long as they are exercising their EC Treaty rights, for instance, by working, studying or being self-sufficient." "EC law obliges EU member states to admit EU nationals on production of their valid passport or identity card so the UK will not impose any visa requirements on Cypriot nationals from accession", he concluded. From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO)
    Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
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