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Nicosia, (CNA) -- Preparations for the Cypriot Presidency are at an excellent state, EU Commission Presidenty Jose Manuel Barroso has said.
According to a press release issued here on Wednesday, Barroso was speaking during a joint press conference with President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, following a meeting they had in Brussels.
“I can tell you that we have seen at first hand the excellent state of preparations for the Cypriot Presidency which will begin on the 1st July”, he said, adding that “I am sure this will be a success and the Commission will provide all the help it can, both before and during the Presidency”.
Referring to the ongoing UN led negotiation process aiming to reunify Cyprus, divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third, Barroso said that “I fully support the UN process and the need for both sides to make steps forward”.
He said it is “important not to let the sands of history to slip through our hands”, acknowledging that “it is a difficult and very challenging process, but I have always encouraged different parties to remain committed to that project”.
“I also made it clear that the European Union, and not only the Commission, will support Cyprus as a member of our Union and in its role of Presidency of the Council”, he stressed.
Referring to the ongoing EU efforts to face the economic crisis and to promote growth and the creation of new jobs Barroso further noted that during the next presidency it is important “to make clear and to explain to our citizens that we are going through a very challenging period where some structural reforms are in fact very challenging, but that there will be light at the end of the tunnel and that together we should work for growth enhancing reforms in Europe”.
“I thank Mr. Barroso warmly for his position with regard to the EU-Turkey relationship” President Christofias said, on his part.
He explained that “we do not want Turkey to stay out of the EU”, adding that “what I have declared many times is that we support the full accession of Turkey into the EU always of course with the condition that Turkey will fulfill its commitments to the EU, which result also from the criteria and from the agreement for the Customs Union of Turkey with the EU”.
President Christofias also thanked the EU “for the position of principle that it has with regard to the explorations for the discovery and extraction of natural gas in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus”.
Referring to the meeting the Cypriot representation has had with the College of Commissioners, President Christofias said that “we have ascertained a convergence of views with regard to the goals of the Commission and the goals of the Cypriot Presidency”.
“It is true that we have before us a very ambitious program of action during the Cypriot Presidency”, he noted, adding that “very important issues of EU policy must be concluded and decisions be taken during the Cypriot Presidency”.
He mentioned the conclusion of the negotiation of the new multiyear financial framework 2014-2020, the conclusion of the Common European Asylum System, the promotion of the strategic goals for Europe 2020, the new sustainable Common Agricultural Policy and the issue of strengthening the small to medium businesses and addressing youth unemployment.
President Christofias further said that “we talked about energy issues and energy conservation and further protection for the environment, increased support for research and innovation, further promotion of economic governance, the promotion of a comprehensive sea policy, for which I aspire that Mr. Barroso will be with us at a conference that will take place in Cyprus during our Presidency, and a deepening of the neighborhood policy with emphasis on the southern dimension”.
He also referred to the ‘Arab Spring’ saying that “Cyprus is the southernmost tip of the EU and we aspire to become a bridge of joint cooperation between the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean and the EU”.
President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, accompanied by a ministerial delegation is paying a visit in Brussels between Tuesday, February 21 and Thursday, February 23 for contacts with the College of Commissioners as regards the Cypriot EU Council presidency at the second half of 2012.
The delegation includes Foreign Minister Erato Kozako Markoullis, Acting Finance Minister and Communications and Works Minister Efthymios Flourentzou, Interior Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Praxoula Antoniadou, Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Sofoklis Aletraris and Labour, Social Insurance Minister Sotiroula Charalambous, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou and Deputy Minister for European Affairs Andreas Mavroyiannis.
ECHR AWARDS GREEK CYPRIOTS DAMAGES DUE TO TURKISH OCCUPATION
Strasbourg, Jan 10 (CNA) ---- Turkey has been ordered to pay thousands of euro in damages to Greek Cypriots for violating their human right to peaceful enjoyment of their property in Cyprus’ northern Turkish occupied areas.
The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday delivered its judgment regarding the allegation by 13 Greek Cypriot applicants (Lordos and Others v. Turkey) that “the Turkish occupation of the northern part of Cyprus following the 1974 conflict had deprived them of their homes and properties”.
In its judgment today, the Court awarded each of the applicants between EUR 100,000 and EUR 8,000,000 “for pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages and EUR 15,000 jointly to all applicants for costs and expenses”.
In its principal judgment, delivered on 2 November 2010, the Court held in particular that there had been a violation of Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (protection of property) as concerns eight of the applicants and a violation of Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) with regard to seven of the applicants.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
Turkey occupied 36,2 percent of the sovereign territory of the Republic and forcibly expelled about 180.000 Greek Cypriots from their homes. Another 20.000 Greek Cypriots, who had remained in the occupied areas, were also forced to eventually abandon their homes and seek refuge in the safety of the government controlled areas. Today, fewer than 500 enclaved Greek Cypriots remain in the occupied areas.
Turkey still deprives the displaced Greek Cypriots of their right to return to their homes and properties. This has given rise to appeals to the European Court of Human Rights, which has issued major decisions on Turkey’s violations of the European Convention.
Canada supports a negotiated solution in Cyprus
Nicosia, Jan 13 (CNA) -- Canada remains strongly supportive of a mutually-acceptable negotiated solution to the Cyprus issue that will bring peace, security and prosperity to the people of Cyprus, the new High Commissioner of Canada, based in Athens, Robert Peck has said.
Presenting his credentials to President Demetris Christofias, Peck noted that his country greatly values the strong and enduring defence relationship between Canada and Cyprus.
''The Canada-Cyprus friendship continues to grow. We celebrate the people-to-people ties growing from the vibrant Cypriot-Canadian community that enriches Canada’s multicultural fabric and the numerous Canadians that make Cyprus their home. Just this past year, we launched the Cyprus-Canada Business Association. I hope this will increase the bilateral trade between our two countries, for the benefit of both countries,'' he noted.
He added that ''we also greatly value the strong and enduring defence relationship between Canada and Cyprus. Prosperity and security remain essential to the well-being of our citizens and we appreciate the extensive cooperation between Canada and Cyprus in these sectors. We recognize that, as a stable EU member, Cyprus continues to make an important contribution to regional and global security.''
On his part, President Christofias assured that Cyprus greatly values its relations with Canada and always stands ready to assist and cooperate, in various fields, for mutual benefit.
Referring to the ongoing direct negotiations to reach a settlement of the Cyprus problem, Christofias noted that the agreed and mutually acceptable solution which will come out of these talks will be put before the people of Cyprus for approval in separate simultaneous referenda.
''The key to achieving the reunification of Cyprus, as soon as possible, is the commitment to this basis, both in words but also in deeds. As we have repeatedly stated, there remains limited time until the next meeting with the Secretary-General in New York. Therefore, without further delay, the decisions taken during our last meeting in Greentree in October must be implemented, to which our side remains committed and is actively working towards,'' he said.
He noted that ''it is therefore gravely disappointing that the Turkish Cypriot leadership submits proposals that renege on the convergences reached on core chapters of the Cyprus problem or avoids discussion on core issues, producing a serious setback and negating any progress at the talks.''
''It is of utmost importance that all sides show the good will and the necessary flexibility. Ankara’s verbal intimidation and threats against the Republic of Cyprus exercising its sovereign right to explore and exploit its natural gas resources within its Exclusive Economic Zone, or against assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second semester of 2012, are obstructive and provocative,'' Christofias noted.
Furthermore he said that statements by the Turkish Prime Minister ruling out territorial adjustment, such as the return of Varosha, Morphou and the Karpass, are not conducive to the efforts towards reaching a settlement. ''It is regrettable, since the discovery of new energy sources by the Republic of Cyprus would be for the shared benefit of the whole people of Cyprus,'' he noted.
Christofias assured that “our side will continue to submit realistic and reasonable proposals, in good faith, with the aim to achieve further progress. We hope that the same good faith will be demonstrated by both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.”
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.
Canadian High Commissioner reaffirms his country's support to Cyprus
Nicosia, Jan 13 (CNA) --- High Commissioner of Canada to Cyprus Robert William Peck stressed Friday that his country recognises the Republic of Cyprus' sovereign rights and supports the efforts to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
According to an official press release, the High Commissioner, who held a meeting Friday with Minister of Defence Demetris Eliades, said that he looks forward to further enhancing the cooperation between the two states in the fields of defence and security.
The Cypriot Minister expressed the gratitude of Cyprus towards Canada's longlasting suppport for the solution of the Cyprus problem based on the UNSC resolutions, as well as for Canada's participation in the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus - UNFICYP.
The Minister briefed the Canadian official on the recent developments regarding the exploratory drilling for hydrocarbon reserves in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
He underlined that despite Turkish aggression against Cyprus' sovereign rights in its EEZ, Nicosia continues to exercise its sovereign rights fully in line with the international law.
Eliades stressed that Cyprus' hydrocarbon reserves are a strong incentive for Ankara to cooperate for a solution of the Cyprus problem and contribute to peace and prosperity in the wider region.
The Minister also briefed the Ambassador on Cyprus' presidency of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) as of January 1st 2012 since Denmark, which holds the six monthly presidency as of this month, does not participate in the CSDP.
Referring to the Cyprus talks, the Minister said that ''unfortunately, the stance of the Turkish Cypriot side does not allow any room for optimism''.
But he noted that the Greek Cypriot side remains committed in efforts to reach a viable solution on the island.
The Republic of Cyprus which joined the EU in May 2004 will hold for the first time in its history the six monthly rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in July 2012.
The island of Cyprus is divided in two since the summer of 1974 when Turkey occupied 37% of the sovereign territory of the Republic and forcibly expelled about 180.000 Greek Cypriots from their homes. Another 20.000 Greek Cypriots, who remained in the occupied areas, were also forced to eventually abandon their homes and seek refuge in the safety of the government controlled areas.
Cyprus talks are currently underway between President Demetris Christofias and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country under a federal roof.
Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.
Drilling has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based “Noble Energy”, off Cyprus’ south-eastern coast.
The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey’s moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any benefits that may come from oil drilling.
Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.
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