Cyprus President addresses UN General Assembly

New York, Sep 19 - Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos stressed that the Cyprus problem epitomizes the inability of the international community to redress the massive violations of international legality. Addressing the 61st Session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Mr. Papadopoulos also stressed that the Greek Cypriots remain committed to reunification through a functional bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and that the Annan plan was rejected by the Greek Cypriot community precisely because it did not provide for the reunification of the country nor did it address core issues and key concerns in a satisfactory manner. The President added that Cyprus had hoped that by now the accession course of Turkey to the European Union would have taken its catalytic effect, and invited Ankara to recognise that there is no room for military doctrines with regard to the Cyprus question and to seek a lasting solution for the benefit of all Cypriots, Turkey and of the region. President Papadopoulos then clarified that the Cyprus question is ''a problem of invasion and continuing occupation, by Turkish military forces, of 37% of the territory of my country for more than thirty-two years now,'' noting that it is ''mistaken by some for a protracted conflict. '' He also referred to Turkish efforts for the recognition of the occupation regime, as well as the issue of missing persons, noting that ''in the political field we have continued to exert efforts on two key axes, that is coming closer to a negotiating process that would guarantee a peaceful settlement alleviating the results of the invasion and bring about the re-unification of Cyprus, that is, of its territory, people, society, economy and institutions in a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.'' ''The political agenda of projecting a separate political entity in Cyprus has been in recent years pursued under the pretext of a campaign to lift the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community. However, with the per capita income in the occupied areas of Cyprus currently standing at approximately 11,000 dollars, it is clearly acknowledgeable that the argument for economic development is exploited for political reasons and is a manifestly unsubstantiated allegation,'' he pointed out. He also noted that ''in seeking a fair and viable resolution of the core and substantive issues comprising the Cyprus problem, we should avoid inherent shortcomings which flawed the last negotiating effort undertaken by the UN and which diverted attention from basic principles that must be upheld.'' President Papadopoulos noted that ''the failure of the last initiative did not alter our commitment, nor our willingness to work resolutely towards the reunification of our country.'' He said that ''the search for a settlement firmly remains for us in the UN framework, within the context of the good offices mission mandated to the Secretary General by the Security Council.” Regarding the Middle East and the recent crisis in Lebanon, he said ''Cyprus had from the very first moment of the outbreak of violence supported the calls for an immediate ceasefire and joined in the effort to provide assistance both to the Lebanese people and to evacuees.'' ''Unfortunately it took almost a month for the Security Council to discharge its responsibilities effectively towards the peoples of the region, causing disappointment and frustration,'' he said, adding that ''in parallel to the Lebanese crisis, the world continues to witness the deterioration of the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, with a heavy civilian toll and worsening humanitarian conditions.''

European Commission President disappointed with pace of Turkey's EU efforts
Nicosia, Sep 21 - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has expressed disappointment at Turkey's progress in its efforts to join the EU. Speaking in an interview with EuroNews last week, he called upon Turkey ''to understand that it must respect its obligations and commitments,'' pointing out an EU progress report on Turkey's accession course is due out next November. ''At the moment, we are not particularly encouraged by the news we are getting,'' Mr. Barroso said in the interview. Referring to these obligations, he noted that amongst them are obligations deriving from the Ankara protocol, which guarantees ''the access of Cypriot ships into Turkish ports,'' and stressed that ''these are vessels of a member state.'' ''At the start of November, we are going to bring out our report on the state of progress in negotiations with Turkey. What I can guarantee is that it will be an objective, honest and rigorous report,'' he noted.

Finance Minister addresses World Bank and IMF General Assemblies
Nicosia, Sep 20 - Speaking at the opening of the General Assemblies of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in Singapore Cypriot Minister of Finance Michalis Sarris said that Cyprus has managed over the past three years to fulfill the Maastricht criteria and is preparing to adopt the Euro on 1 January 2008, noting the good performance of the economy in 2006, with growth rates of around 4%, inflation just over 2.5% and a public deficit of 2% GDP. He also referred to the Cyprus problem, saying that a financially viable solution, which would reunite institutions and markets, is the key to long-term economic and political stability and growth. Sarris also said that Cyprus has welcomed the strategy to review the representation in the IMF, which raise the voting rights of China and three other developing countries. There are hopes that by 2008 there will be more changes to enhance the representation of low income countries. Regarding the international community policy to combat poverty and relieve poor countries from their debts, Sarris expressed support to the World Bank's efforts, noting the need for an increase in the contributions of developed countries. Concluding his remarks, Sarris said Cyprus is an ardent supporter of the international campaign against money laundering and corruption, and against international terrorism, and supports the efforts of the World Bank and the IMF to combat such cases. Sarris participated in the General Assemblies in his capacity of Governor of the World Bank for Cyprus, heading a delegation which includes Central Bank Governor Christodoulos Christodoulou, in his capacity as Governor of the IMF for Cyprus.

United Nations pledge commitment in reaching a Cyprus settlement
Nicosia, Sep 21 - The United Nations remain committed to a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, awaiting the leaders' response and the people's determination, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cyprus Michael Moller said addressing the people who gathered in the UN Nicosia buffer zone to celebrate the International Day of Peace. Moller reminded that UN Undersecretary General for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari had said it is hard to envision a lasting and sustainable settlement on this island in the absence of ''a shared commitment to tearing down the barriers and barbed wire.'' ''That means moving forward, and it calls for a show of political will and determination by all Cypriots, to address what is, after all, a Cypriot problem with a Cypriot solution,'' Moller noted. He added that ''the United Nations remain committed to a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, awaiting the leaders' response and the people's determination.''

Famagusta Mayor asks for support in ending exploitation of properties
Nicosia, Sep 22 - Famagusta Mayor Yiannakis Skordis has asked for the support of the European Union and the international community for the termination of the illegal exploitation of Greek Cypriot properties in the area of Turkish occupied Karpasia. In letters sent to Secretary General Kofi Annan, President of Finland Mati Vanhanen, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, Skordis refers to the recent text that appeared in the so called ''official gazette'' of the occupation regime in Cyprus. He points out the fact that the illegal construction on Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied part of Cyprus continues and has recently intensified, with the blessings and active support of the occupying power, Turkey. Skordis says that the text that appeared in the so called gazette ''shows Turkey's direct participation in these illegal acts specifically by the fact that the advisor to the committee for the promotion of these illegal land development acts will be appointed by the aid mission'' of the Turkish ''embassy'' in the occupied areas. Turkey's direct involvement in these illegal acts is also shown in the text, specifying that two of the seven members of the ''committee'' will be proposed by the ''embassy'', Skordis points out. The Famagusta Mayor states that it is conspicuous that the illegal so called ''land development'' ventures are well planned under the auspices of the Turkish Cypriot leadership in the occupied area and by organisations set up by the secessionist entity. Furthermore, Skordis says that ''the illegal land development acts, which Turkey uses as a method towards achieving its ultimate illegal political aims regarding Cyprus, have to be immediately terminated, if we can hope to achieve a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.'' ''We strongly hold that the Turkish military invasion of Cyprus in 1974, which has been condemned by the international community, and the resulting and continued to date illegal occupation of 37% of Republic of Cyprus territory, now an EU territory, are issues that need to be resolved with Turkey's full and permanent withdrawal from Cyprus, before Turkey can even be considered a European country,'' the mayor concludes in his letter