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Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 03-09-01
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
[01]Monday, 01 September 2003 Russian Deputy Foreign Minister holds talks
in Cyprus
[02] Cyprus protests to UN for new air violations by Turkish military
aircrafts
[01] Russian Deputy Foreign Minister holds talks in Cyprus
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mr
Vladimir Chizov, who arrived yesterday in Cyprus for a three-day official
visit, was received this morning by the President of the Republic, Mr
Tassos Papadopoulos, at the Presidential Palace. Mr Chizov was expected to
meet also with the President of the House of Representatives, Mr Demetris
Christofias, later this morning. Yesterday afternoon, the Russian official
held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Georgios Iacovou, which
focused primarily on the legal framework of relations between Cyprus and
Russia, in view of the island's accession to the European Union, and the
Cyprus problem. Speaking after that meeting, Mr Chizov told journalists
that he and Mr Iacovou had discussed the compatibility of bilateral
agreements with the EU acquis communautaire, as well as the prospect of a
wider cooperation between the two countries in the framework of the EU's
common foreign and security policy.
"Cyprus will assume an active and significant role in the various
developments and will take part in the political dialogue that Russia
maintains with the European Union", Mr Chizov added. With regard to the
Cyprus issue, the Russian official noted that his country, as a permanent
member of the UN Security Council, had always been making a lot of efforts
for a settlement and that it fully supported the continuation of the UN
Secretary-General's good offices mission. Asked to say what action Russia
would take, in the framework of the UN Security Council, as regards
statements by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on the opening of the
occupied town of Famagusta, Mr Chizov replied that the issue of Famagusta
was part of the general framework for a settlement and it should be settled
in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions.
He also mentioned that he would meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader later
today. On his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Iacovou, noted that
he had conveyed to his interlocutor the gratitude of the Cyprus Government
for Russia's continuous assistance throughout the years and its contribution
in the drafting and adoption of the two recent resolutions of the Security
Council which condemned the Turkish intransigent stance in the efforts for
a settlement of the Cyprus problem.
He also told journalists that Mr Chizov was a well-known figure in Cyprus
as he had served in the Russian Embassy to the island for six consecutive
years and had a major involvement in the Cyprus problem from his post as
Russia's Special Representative for the Cyprus issue. Mr Chizov departs
from Cyprus tomorrow.
[02] Cyprus protests to UN for new air violations by Turkish military
aircrafts
The Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the United
Nations, Ambassador Andreas Mavroyiannis, has sent a letter to the UN
Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan, dated 20 August 2003, protesting for new
violations of the flight information region (FIR) of Nicosia and the
national airspace of the Republic by Turkish military aircrafts, recorded
on 3, 4, 17-22 and 28-30 July and on 7, 13, 16 and 18 August 2003. Mr
Mavroyiannis noted in the letter that the violations were breaching
international law as well as UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus, and
called for their immediate cessation. He expressed hope that the Turkish
government would respect the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and
refrain from further violations, adding that "The government of Turkey
should also heed the appeals of the international community, change its
negative stance and exercise its influence on the Turkish-Cypriot
leadership, in order to contribute to the efforts to find a just and
functional solution to the Cyprus problem, on the basis of United Nations
resolutions". The letter has circulated as a document of the UN General
Assembly, under agenda item 54, and of the UN Security Council.
From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/
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