Cyprus Bulletin Week 13, 2007
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- Cypriot government submits new proposals for financial aid of Turkish
Cypriots
- Papadopoulos: Government works for reunification and financial support of Turkish Cypriots
- Government welcomes UN call for implementation of July 8 Agreement
- Cyprus chairs OSCE meeting on illicit trafficking of weapons
- Turkey continues to impose restrictive measures on Cypriot shipping
- Cyprus a close partner in combating terrorism and crime, says US Ambassador
- Cyprus recognized as regional Medical Center
Cypriot government submits new proposals for financial aid of Turkish
Cypriots
Nicosia, Apr 1 - The Government of Cyprus has submitted to the German EU
presidency and the European Commission its new proposals for the financial
support of the Turkish Cypriot community, with the ultimate goal to contribute to
the reunification of Cyprus. The new proposals were submitted Saturday by the
Cypriot Foreign Minister Giorgos Lillikas on the sidelines of the Informal EU
Foreign Ministers’Meeting that took place in Bremen, Germany. The measures
foresee among others facilities for the Turkish Cypriots to export their goods through
the Port of Larnaca. In statements during a press conference he held in Germany,
Lillikas pointed out that the Government of Cyprus had submitted in the past various
proposals for the financial aid of the Turkish Cypriots which it had
unilaterally implemented. “In addition to those measures, I submitted
to the German EU Presidency and the Commission proposals and ideas,
which the Government wishes to promote and implement
unilaterally with the aim to help the reunification of Cyprus”, he said.
Lillikas, who met Saturday with his German counterpart Frank Walter
Steinmeier and the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn, said that the
Cypriot Government is glad to see the per capita income of the Turkish
Cypriots being increased almost by 300% in the past three years due to the
measures that the Government has implemented in the past three years
unilaterally as well as the measures implemented in cooperation with the
European Commission. He expressed certainty that the new measures
submitted by the Government, would contribute further to the economic
development of the Turkish Cypriots, to the improvement of their standard
of living and to the cooperation between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish
Cypriot communities aiming at reunifying the people of Cyprus.
Papadopoulos: Government works for reunification and financial support of Turkish Cypriots
Nicosia, Apr 1 - The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, has said that the Cypriot Government is constantly working for the implementation of measures to achieve a close cooperation with the Turkish Cypriots, helping them to improve their financial situation. “We work constantly and have put forward measures to achieve the closest cooperation with the Turkish Cypriots, thus contributing to their economic growth, bearing in mind that all measures aim to the financial integration and the reunification of our country and economy”, the President stressed. Papadopoulos stated Sunday that the international community is realizing that Turkish claims about a so called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots are merely a myth which solely aims to upgrade the Turkish occupation regime in the northern areas of Cyprus. Asked if there have been any reactions regarding the new package of measures for the financial support of the Turkish Cypriots, submitted Saturday by the Cypriot Government to the EU, the President said that there have been no reactions yet. “There are not reactions so far. Discussions continue. This is the third discussion held on the issue and we hope that consideration will be shown”, he said. The President was also asked on Turkey’s veto’s regarding Cyprus’ participation in international organizations. He described Ankara’s stance as unacceptable. “This is an unacceptable tactic by a country that wishes to become a member of the EU. In our declaration for Turkey’s accession course, we have clearly stated that our position will depend every time on Turkey’s stance towards us and the other international organizations”, he pointed out. Turkey’s stance against Cyprus’ participation in a series of international organizations is an old issue, the President said, adding that Turkey has been preventing for three years now, Cyprus’ participation in international organizations because the charter of these organizations provide for unanimity. Turkey has been vetoing Cyprus’ membership in international organizations, arrangements and treaties, such as the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Open Skies Treaty, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Furthermore, Turkey does not consent to the expansion of the EU – NATO dialogue with the participation of Cyprus (and Malta).
Government welcomes UN call for implementation of July 8 Agreement
Nicosia, Mar 29 – “The Cypriot Government has responded positively and actively to a UN Security Council call regarding the implementation of the July 8 agreement”, Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis has said. Pashiardis last week welcomed the position of the UN in favor of the establishment of technical committees and working groups in order to prepare the ground for negotiations that will lead to a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem. ''This was and continues to be the position of the Greek Cypriot side,'' the Spokesman pointed out, expecting hope that a similar response will come from the Turkish Cypriot side. Pashiardis furthermore expressed hope that the final outcome of the evaluation would be, ''not just the return of the Turkish Cypriot side to the talks, but also the active expression of political will on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot side to cooperate for the implementation of what has been agreed, if it is genuinely interested in opening the way for substantive negotiations that will lead to a solution of the Cyprus problem.'' Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on July 8, 2006, during a meeting in Nicosia in the presence of UN official Ibrahim Gambari, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.
Cyprus chairs OSCE meeting on illicit trafficking of weapons
Nicosia, Mar 27 - A special meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security and Cooperation (FSC) was held on March 21 under the chairmanship of Cyprus to discuss ways of combating the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons by air. The meeting, held in Vienna, was the first on an international level to deal with this specific aspect of the problem of the illicit trafficking of small arms and weapons. A press release issued after the meeting said that guest speakers, experts and national delegations supported the development of a mechanism to exchange information on participating states national legislation and regulatory framework on import and export controls relating to the air transport sector. They also support the implementation of commitments which are relevant to combating the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons by air, especially in violation of UN Security Council arms embargoes, with a view to identifying possible gaps as well as best practice guides. The participants furthermore called for dialogue and increased synergy between governments, private business actors in the air transport sector and competent international organizations. This will be crucial in raising awareness on the threat of illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, while enhanced cooperation between states and the private sector is also required in this respect. The FSC is the OSCE's main decision-making body dealing with political-military security. The latest meeting brought together experts from OSCE participating states, as well as representatives of the air transportation sector and international organizations. Participants noted that military supplies for most of today's conflicts are typically small arms, light weapons and related ammunition, and that in most cases they are illegally transported by air to conflict regions around the globe, especially to Africa.
Turkey continues to impose restrictive measures on Cypriot shipping
Nicosia, Mar 30 – The 18th Annual General Meeting of the Cyprus Shipping Council took place in Limassol last Friday. At the meeting, President of the House of Representatives Demetris Christofias raised the issue of the continuing restrictive measures on Cypriot ships imposed by Turkey, adding that these measures have adverse implications on the Cyprus flag and the economy of the country in general. Christofias expressed the belief, however, that Cyprus has all the experience and potential, in terms of both material and human resources, not only to continue to offer high quality shipping services, but also to push its position even higher as a maritime center of exceptional importance. He praised the strong participation of Cyprus in international maritime organizations, something which enhances the Republic’s status and has positive political ramifications. On his part, Minister of Communications and Public Works Harris Thrassou praised the Council’s contribution, support and co-operation in all shipping matters relating to technical and policy issues, as well as in modernizing the maritime legislation, promoting the Cyprus flag and organizing the biennial event of Maritime Cyprus Conference.. The Council’s Annual General Meeting was attended by various Ministers, Members of the House of Representatives, Government dignitaries, foreign diplomats and industry leaders.
Cyprus a close partner in combating terrorism and crime, says US Ambassador
Limassol, Mar 30 - US Ambassador to Cyprus Ronald Schlicher said on Friday that his country continues to value Cyprus in the joint effort to combat terrorism, proliferation and organized crime. Addressing a ceremony for the donation of an under-water camera by the US Embassy and the US Customs to Cyprus' Marine Police, Schlicher said that he is pleased ''that the US and Cyprus continue to work closely together in many areas and that the co-operation with Cypriot law enforcement agencies continues to be excellent.''He added that one of the closest areas of that co-operation between the two nations of course is in combating global threats, such as terrorism. ''We are working together very closely to enhance our collective ability in the world community to protect our borders, to deter terrorists, to combat organized crime of many sorts, to improve emergency preparedness and to stop the proliferation of weapons. We in the US regard Cyprus as an important partner in these efforts,'' the Ambassador noted. “ Marine Police Commander Yiannakis Ioannou said that “undoubtedly the cooperation between the two nations and the two governments with common targets and vision solves many problems and definitely yields positive results.” He expressed hope for the continuation of ''this admirable cooperation between the two governments for our common targets which are not more that a society without terrorism, drugs and catastrophic activities.''
Cyprus recognized as regional Medical Center
Limassol, Mar 24 – “Cyprus is gradually being recognized as an ideal location for becoming a regional Medical Center, providing high quality medical care to the people of this rather turbulent and distressed part of the world”, according to Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Michaelides. Addressing the 2nd World Health Tourism Congress which took place in coastal Limassol last week, Michaelides also said that “the international scope and significance of the conference is reflected in the impressive delegates list, which includes over 100 providers of health tourism services and 120 corporate buyers from many countries.” The Minister added that “Cyprus combines a number of important attributes as a destination for health tourism and has the potential to become a center for health tourism in the near future”. “Cyprus”, he noted, “located at the crossroads of three continents, offers ideal climate both for treatment and recuperation and a high standard of services for medical tourism at cost – effective rates.” The Minister also said that the Government, recognizing the importance of health tourism for Cyprus, has included the development of this sector in its strategic goals. ''The Cyprus Government encourages investment in various sectors of the Cyprus economy and health tourism investments are particularly welcomed'', he pointed out. Within this framework, he continued, the Government has set up a one stop system for the speedy registration of companies in Cyprus. In addition, it has recently established the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency, which aims at attracting foreign investment and at facilitating such investment. The Government furthermore actively supports the Medical Services Promotion Board, which has been set up by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and consists of a cluster of the largest private medical facilities in Cyprus. An interministrial committee is currently examining the possibility of additional incentives in a concerted effort to promote further the development of health tourism, the Minister concluded. |
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