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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-07-25

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, 25 July 2003 Statement by the Cyprus Government on Mr Denktash´s proposal about the clearing of minefields in Nicosia
  • [02] Italy's Minister of European Affairs compares the Cyprus problem to the "Gordian Knot".
  • [03] US Secretary of State discusses Cyprus problem with Turkish Foreign Minister
  • [04] UN Security Council reaffirms its opposition on the situation of Varosha

    [01] Statement by the Cyprus Government on Mr Denktash´s proposal about the clearing of minefields in Nicosia

    Regarding Mr. Denktash´s proposal to the UN Secretary General to clear landmines from minefields of the Turkish occupation army in and around Nicosia, the Cyprus Government wishes to state that it welcomes this move. The Government considers the issue of the clearing of landmines from all minefields in the buffer zone, very important and for this reason it has repeatedly called on the Turkish side to accept the simultaneous demining of Turkish minefields and those of the National Guard in the buffer zone. Despite the Turkish side's refusal, the Cyprus Government has included in its package of measures for the Turkish Cypriots the unilateral clearing of mines from all minefields of the National Guard within the buffer zone, including those within the buffer zone in Nicosia. In implementing this measure, the Government has intensified its contacts with the UN, so that the necessary arrangements could be made to begin the demining process without delay. It also appealed to the European Commission to contribute to the financing of this expensive project, although the Government was nevertheless determined to proceed with the implementation of this measure. It should be reminded that it is the Turkish forces in the occupied areas that bear the responsibility for the Turkish minefields, a fact which is noted by the United Nations Secretary General in his six- monthly reports on the situation in Cyprus. It should also be noted that Mr Denktash´s proposal concerns the clearing of mines not from all Turkish minefields within the buffer zone, but only from those which are within or close to Nicosia.

    [02] Italy's Minister of European Affairs compares the Cyprus problem to the "Gordian Knot".

    Italy's Minister of European Affairs Mr Rocco Buttiglione, whose country is currently holding the EU Presidency, concluded, yesterday, his short visit to the island. During his stay in Cyprus, Mr Buttiglione, was received by the President of the Republic Mr Tassos Papadopoulos and had separate meetings with the Foreign Minister Mr Georgios Iacovou and the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Mr Yiorgos Lillikas. Speaking at a press conference yesterday Mr Buttiglione expressed his country's support for a comprehensive settlement and promised that Italy would exploit its good relations with Turkey to convince Ankara to help settle the Cyprus problem. "Italy has very good relations with Turkey and we will do our best to convince Ankara to cooperate in the process of reunification; we favour the UN plan and shall try to contribute both as a single country and as President of EU to help this process," he said. The Italian Minister said that, seen from a distance, the Cyprus problem seems to be easy, but when you are in Cyprus you understand there is a "Gordian Knot". Asked how Italy can convince Turkey to work in this direction, the Italian Minister said that Turkey, a candidate country for EU accession, is now in a process of great change and expressed the hope that the process of democratisation in Turkey would proceed. Regarding relations between the military and political establishment in Turkey, he said that the EU expects to see the package of reforms approved and a better implementation of the law protecting minorities. Mr Buttiglione expressed the view that the solution of the Cyprus problem cannot be divorced from the general democratic evolution of Turkey on one hand and the strong evolution of the position of the Turkish Cypriots on the other.

    Invited to clarify this position, he said he was referring to the creation of relations of confidence and forgiveness and the feeling that Greek and Turkish Cypriots are part of one community with equal rights.

    "We wish to participate in this and give our support to it," he added.

    [03] US Secretary of State discusses Cyprus problem with Turkish Foreign Minister

    The Cyprus problem was one of the issues discussed yesterday in Washington between the US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell and the Turkish Foreign Minister Mr Abdullah Gul. Replying to a press question on whether any concrete steps were discussed at the meeting, in relation to the Cyprus problem, Mr Powell said: "We discussed the need to not lose the opportunity that is before us. And I commented favourably on the proposal that has been left on the table by the Secretary-General, and encouraged my Turkish friend to work with Mr. Denktash, and we would work with both sides to see if we cannot get some movement quickly. We see a lot of things happening on the ground as the people themselves are now moving back and forth. We want to convert that into a substantive agreement in the political world and come up with a comprehensive settlement. And I know the minister has that same goal, and we're working hard. But there were no new initiatives. We kind of reviewed the state of play of the discussions."

    [04] UN Security Council reaffirms its opposition on the situation of Varosha

    The UN Security Council yesterday reaffirmed its position on Varosha, namely that it considers attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible. The UN Security Council met yesterday acting on demarches by the Charge D'Affaires of the Republic Mr George Kasoulides following threats by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that he will open Varosha for settlement by Turkish Cypriots if the Cyprus Government did not agree with his proposal on the opening of the city. In a statement after the meeting, the President of the United Nations Security Council Ambassador Inocencio F. Arias of Spain said that he briefed the members of the Security Council "on the concerns expressed by the Government of Cyprus about the latest developments, especially on the situation on Varosha".

    Mr Arias underlined that the "The Council reiterated its well-known position, which remains unchanged, on Varosha, which is .

    "The Council urges the parties to resume negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue on the basis of the Secretary- General's plan, as stated in the Council's ," he concluded.


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


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