Nicosia, June 7 (CNA) – There has been no discussion on a possible return of the Turkish occupied fenced-off town of Famagusta to its legal inhabitants in exchange for allowing direct flights to and from the illegal Tymbou airport, in Cyprus’ northern Turkish occupied areas, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides has said.

This issue is not under discussion, he told CNA in an interview, adding that the Greek Cypriot side has never raised such an issue.

“Right now what we have is our proposal on this issue, which we believe will help the talks significantly if Famagusta is returned to its legal citizens. Once other issues come up we will look into them, he added.

The Foreign Minister said that talks on the Cyprus problem will not resume from the beginning, adding that it will be made clear that the Greek Cypriot side is not bound by positions which President Nicos Anastasiades has already said he does not subscribe to them, on the basis of the principle that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.

With regard to the situation in Turkey, the Foreign Minister said that the EU must be concerned about the reasons of this unrest in relation to the social level of Turkey as a candidate country for EU membership.

Asked about the credibility of Alexander Downer, UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus, Kasoulides cautioned against public comments on the matter.

Replying to another question on possible personal interest on his part for the post of EU Cyprus Commissioner, the Minster pointed out that his priority now is to contribute in the best way he can to the success of President Anastasiades’ government.

Kasoulides also said the government rejects the representation of Turkish Cypriots at the European Parliament with an observers’ status.

“We have looked into this issue and we will examine how as many Turkish Cypriots as possible will participate in the European elections through a joint electoral list that will allow them to be elected as well. Theoretically they can. Since there are 95 thousand Turkish Cypriot holders of Republic of Cyprus identities, if they want to participate in the elections they can rightfully elect a member of the European Parliament. Democratic procedures will apply according to the European acquis as in all countries,” the Minister noted.

Asked about his recent visit to Paris, he said it reaffirmed the high level of bilateral relations, ahead of a visit President Anastasiades will pay next week to Paris.

Referring to the contacts in the French capital, Kasoulides said both sides expressed their readiness to further expand and deepen their relations in various fields. At the same time they expressed common positions on issues concerning the economy, policies to improve the Eurozone, boost growth and combat unemployment.

Paris and Nicosia also share views on Syria, the need to enhance the autonomous character of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy, ways to combat international terrorism and create conditions of security and stability in the Southern-Eastern Mediterranean region.

“The French side reaffirmed its position with regard to the respect to every country’s right to exercise its sovereign rights and exploit its natural resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone. At the same time it underlined that it will continue to support, in its capacity as permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Republic of Cyprus on the question of Cyprus,” he added.

Invited to comment on recent statements by US Ambassador in Nicosia that tensions in the region could unhinge America’s close ties with Israel and Turkey while derailing Noble Energy’s gas search and asked if the problem of Cyprus is connected with natural gas exploration, Kasoulides said these statements were crystal clear and sent a message against anyone who would want to create tension during Noble’s activities with regard to the appraisal drilling as Cyprus’ inalienable sovereign right.

“No one expects that we will create tension,” he noted, adding that this statement does not lead to the conclusion that there is an effort to link the Cyprus problem to the issue of natural gas.

Asked about the person who will be the negotiator of the Greek Cypriot side at the talks, since President Anastasiades has said that he will not be the negotiator, Kasoulides

recalled that the National Council will convene on June 15 to decide the role of the negotiator and his links to the Council and at a later stage, the negotiator will be named.

“We have to prepare for the talks in the right way, with the help of advisors and other experts,” he added.

Replying to questions, Kasoulides said the government is not pleased with the increasing number of Greek Cypriots who apply to the so-called commission of immovable property, in occupied Cyprus, nor is it happy about the low compensation paid to most of them.

No property has been restored to its legal owner, he pointed out, adding that it will take a long time to speak of the danger of solving the property issue through this illegal commission.

On the case of the occupied town of Varosha (fence off area of Famagusta), on the east, the Minister said it was too early to discuss confidence building measures with regard to the return of the fenced-off town of Famagusta to its legal citizens.

He described any such possible move (return of Varosha) as a way to bridge the huge gap of confidence that exists between the two sides. He referred to past attempts by Turkey to operate flights to and from Tymbou airport, which did not succeed.

“Right now what we have is our proposal on this issue, which we believe will help the talks significantly if Famagusta is returned to its legal inhabitants. Once other issues come up we will look into them,” he added.

Asked about his forthcoming visit to London, Kasoulides said that he was invited by his British counterpart William Hague to a working lunch on Monday June 17, adding they will hold talks on the Cyprus problem, bilateral relations and European issues.

“I believe that the British must be convinced that their interest should be directed to where it ought to be, in order to help break the deadlock in the Cyprus problem,” he noted.

On possible Turkish Cypriot participation in the European Parliament, the Foreign Minister said “we are against the status of observers but we are in favour of Turkish Cypriot participation in the European elections in Cyprus. During previous European elections very few of them voted but that was their choice. They were offered this possibility, through constitutional changes.”

Asked about the current situation in Turkey, he said this unrest was triggered by various reasons. There is the reaction to the oppressive police behaviour, the protest of many people against measures to introduce Islamic norms in social life in Turkey, with the most recent one being the restrictions on the sale of alcohol.

He said that other people protest against authoritarian government policies, adding that many Alevis feel oppressed.

Kasoulides said that it is very early to draw conclusions as to where this social uprising could lead, adding that the EU must be alarmed by all this.

“I am sure that Prime Minister Erdogan will be obliged to show understanding to this kind of protests,” he added.

Asked if this situation could affect Cyprus, he said that he does not think so, unless it may be used as an external danger with a view to unite and appease the Turkish public.

Asked about natural gas exploitation in the region, Kasoulides said hydrocarbons in the Mediterranean sea will certainly bring together Lebanon, Egypt and Israel, adding that Cyprus will also contribute to this. He noted that all countries have the legal right to reap the benefits of their Exclusive Economic Zones.

Asked about Cyprus’ role with regard to Syria and the Middle East, he said that as an EU member, Cyprus actively participates in the EU Foreign Affairs Council decision making process on such issues. Cyprus has agreements with many states and will also agree with other states to evacuate citizens if necessary.

Noble Energy is launching an appraisal drilling in block 12 of Cyprus’ EEZ. In 2011, initial data from Noble’s exploratory drilling indicated the existence of a natural gas reservoir, also known as “Aphrodite”, ranging from 5 to 8 trillion cubic feet (tcf) with a gross mean of 7 tcf.

Apart from Noble Energy, the Republic of Cyprus has also signed contracts with the ENI/KOGAS consortium for hydrocarbons exploration in blocks 2, 3 and 9, as well as with French TOTAL for blocks 10 and 11 in the EEZ.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. The latest round of negotiations between the two communities (the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots) began in 2008 but was suspended by the Turkish side in July 2012 when Cyprus assumed the six monthly rotating EU presidency.

Ο Μόνιμος Αντιπρόσωπος Πρέσβης Νικόλαος Αιμιλίου υπέγραψε σήμερα (3 Ιουνίου, 2013) εκ μέρους της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας, την Συνθήκη για το Εμπόριο Όπλων (Arms Trade Treaty) η οποία άνοιξε σήμερα για υπογραφή στην έδρα του Διεθνούς Οργανισμού. Τη Συνθήκη υπέγραψαν σήμερα συνολικά 63 Κράτη Μέλη του ΟΗΕ.

  Η πρώτη Συνθήκη για το Εμπόριο Όπλων ( ATT) υιοθετήθηκε από την Γενική Συνέλευση των ΗΕ στις 2 Απριλίου 2013 και θεωρήθηκε ορόσημο και  ιστορικό επίτευγμα αλλά και αποκορύφωμα των προσπαθειών πολλών χρόνων.  Η Συνθήκη η οποία ρυθμίζει το διεθνές εμπόριο συμβατικών όπλων, από μικρά όπλα μέχρι και άρματα μάχης, μαχητικά αεροσκάφη και πολεμικά πλοία,  θα ενισχύσει την ειρήνη και ασφάλεια, με στόχο να τερματιστεί η αποσταθεροποίηση μέσω της ροής  όπλων σε περιοχές συγκρούσεων και εμποδίζοντας ταυτόχρονα τον εξοπλισμό των παραβατών του διεθνούς  και ανθρωπιστικού δικαίου.

  Το άνοιγμα της Συνθήκης για υπογραφή πραγματοποιήθηκε στην διάρκεια τελετής στα Ηνωμένα Έθνη στην οποία παρευρέθηκε και μίλησε ο Γενικός Γραμματέας των ΗΕ. Αρκετά κράτη μέλη αντιπροσωπεύτηκαν σε υπουργικό επίπεδο ενώ κύριος ομιλητής ήταν η Πρόεδρος της Λιβερίας  Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

  H Συνθήκη θα τεθεί σε ισχύ με την επικύρωση της από 50 τουλάχιστον συμβαλλόμενα Κράτη.

The Permanent Representative Ambassador Nicholas Emiliou signed today (3 June 2013) on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, the UN Arms Trade Treaty which opened today for signature at UN headquarters. The Treaty was signed today by a total of 63 UN member states.
 

The first Arms Trade Treaty was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 2 April 2013 and was considered a landmark historic achievement and the culmination of many years of efforts. The Treaty which regulates international trade in conventional weapons, from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships will foster peace and security by preventing the flow of arms to conflict zones and at the same time by preventing abusers and violators of international and humanitarian law from being supplied with arms.

The opening of the Treaty signing ceremony was attended and addressed by the UN Secretary General. Several Member States were represented at ministerial level while the key note speaker was the President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

The Treaty will enter into force upon ratification by at least 50 States parties.

]]> http://www.cyprusun.org/?feed=rss2&p=5547 0 http://www.cyprusun.org/?p=5512 http://www.cyprusun.org/?p=5512#comments Fri, 10 May 2013 20:25:19 +0000 cyprusun http://www.cyprusun.org/?p=5512 Washington, DC
May 10, 2013

SECRETARY KERRY: Good morning, everybody. It is my great pleasure to welcome Foreign Minister Kasoulides of Cyprus, and really at an important time. Cyprus is a very good friend of the United States, and I know that Cyprus, as everybody does, has been struggling with very, very deep economic challenges. So we are very understanding of the difficult choices that you’ve had to make and the challenges that you face. We certainly want to be helpful in ways that we can be.

We also look forward to working with the Foreign Minister and with President Anastasiades and others to try to move Cyprus forward on one of the world’s frozen conflicts. I have talked personally with the Prime Minister of Turkey and the Foreign Minister of Turkey several times, I’ve talked with the Foreign Minister of Greece, and I’ve talked to the President of Cyprus, and I hope that there is a way. The United States supports a bizonal, bicommunal federation. We would like to see us unfreeze this conflict and be able to move to a resolution.

The United Nations is working at that, a representative who was hoping to find a moment. I would hope that rather than preventing people from moving forward, the economic crisis in fact opens up opportunities. And needless to say, there are important possibilities of exploration off the coast of Cyprus with its economic zone, and that may even be able to be a part of a solution.

So Mr. Foreign Minister, I’m really delighted to have you here. You’re an old pro at this; you’ve been at it a long time. And I look forward to a good conversation with you on all of the issues of concern.

FOREIGN MINISTER KASOULIDES: Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary. I’m very glad that I’m going to have this meeting with the Secretary of State. I know that Secretary Kerry shows a very keen interest in our region, in the eastern Mediterranean. In fact, I think his next visit will be the fourth in the region. And I want to discuss the issue of Cyprus, as he has said, not in isolation but being looked at in the wider picture of the eastern Mediterranean. We want to be and play the role of stability in this region and work with all the neighbors and with the United States.

And we think that also the efforts to resolve our problem are our first and foremost desire. It’s an open wound and it’s bleeding to have to have one’s country divided. Of course, we would like to deal with the issues of the economy and the issues of the natural gas as three separate issues. If the one reinforces the other, it’s through these parallel three roles. But we will discuss these things in the meeting.

SECRETARY KERRY: Absolutely. I look forward to it. Thank you all very much. Thank you.

Source: State Department (www.state.gov)
Audiovisual: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN6eUqroj_Q

Ο Υπουργός Εξωτερικών κ. Ιωάννης Κασουλίδης είχε σήμερα το απόγευμα συνάντηση στην έδρα του ΟΗΕ με τον Γενικό Γραμματέα των Ηνωμένων Εθνών κ. Ban Ki-moon. Στην συνάντηση παρίσταντο ο Μόνιμος Αντιπρόσωπος της Κύπρου στα Ηνωμένα Έθνη Πρέσβης κ. Ν. Αιμιλίου, ο Διευθυντής του Γραφείου του Υπουργού κ. Ν. Χριστοδουλίδης και η Αν. Μόνιμη Αντιπρόσωπος κα Χριστίνα Ράφτη.

Μετά τη συνάντηση ο Υπουργός Εξωτερικών προέβη στην ακόλουθη δήλωση:

«Ήταν η πρώτη επίσημη συνάντηση της νέας Κυβέρνησης με τον Γενικό Γραμματέα των Ηνωμένων Εθνών. Του έχω μεταφέρει, εκ μέρους του Προέδρου Αναστασιάδη, πρώτον την ανάγκη να επιδειχθεί κατανόηση διότι η οικονομική κατάσταση που δημιουργήθηκε με την απόφαση του Eurogroup επιβάλλει ο Πρόεδρος να επικεντρωθεί στα μέτρα για την επανεκκίνηση της οικονομίας και επομένως οι συνομιλίες θα πρέπει να μετατεθούν για το προσεχές φθινόπωρο. Δεύτερον, μετέφερα τη θέση ότι ναι μεν δεν θα ξεκινήσουμε αυτές τις συνομιλίες από την αρχή, όμως από την άλλη πλευρά υπάρχουν μερικά θέματα για τα οποία ο Πρόεδρος της Δημοκρατίας έχει δηλώσει προεκλογικά ότι δεν είναι δεσμευμένος. Και αυτό το ξεκαθάρισα έναντι της θέσης ʽξεκινούμε από εκεί που μείναμε̛. Το τρίτο είναι ότι πέραν της ουσίας του Κυπριακού, για την οποία είμαστε διατεθειμένοι να διαπραγματευθούμε χωρίς προσπάθεια είτε υπεκφυγής είτε κωλυσιεργίας, από την άλλη, η κατάσταση εμπιστοσύνης που επικρατεί σήμερα μεταξύ των δύο πλευρών είναι τέτοια που χρειάζονται κάποιες σημαντικές κινήσεις για να αποκαταστήσουμε αυτήν την έλλειψη εμπιστοσύνης. Σε αυτό το πλαίσιο εντάσσεται η πρόταση για την Αμμόχωστο, για να παραδοθεί στους νόμιμους κατοίκους της προτού καταλήξουν οι πλευρές σε οποιαδήποτε άλλη συμφωνία».

Ακολούθως απάντησε σε ερωτήσεις των δημοσιογράφων:
Ερώτηση: Σε τι αντάλλαγμα με την Αμμόχωστο;

Ι. Κασουλίδης: Εμείς είμαστε διατεθειμένοι, αν η Αμμόχωστος παραδοθεί στους νόμιμους κατοίκους της, να δικαιούται η τουρκοκυπριακή κοινότητα να διεξάγει εμπόριο απευθείας διά του λιμανιού της Αμμοχώστου υπό την εποπτεία της ΕΕ. Και ταυτόχρονα να δούμε και κάποια κεφάλαια τα οποία έχουμε παγωμένα στις ενταξιακές διαπραγματεύσεις της Τουρκίας. Είναι κάτι με το οποίο κερδίζουν όλες οι πλευρές.

Ερώτηση: Κύριε Υπουργέ, τα Ηνωμένα Έθνη πριν τις εκλογές στην Κύπρο είχαν γνωστοποιήσει την πρόθεση τους να ετοιμάσουν μια έκθεση με την καταγραφή των συγκλίσεων και των αποκλίσεων στα τρία χρόνια συνομιλιών. Έχετε κουβεντιάσει γι’ αυτό το ενδεχόμενο;

Ι. Κασουλίδης: Όχι δεν το ήγειρα εγώ εδώ.

Ερώτηση: Αν οι ίδιοι είπαν κάτι;

Ι. Κασουλίδης: Δεν ήθελα εγώ να αναμιχθώ στα των διαπραγματεύσεων. Ξέρετε, είμαι ο Υπουργός Εξωτερικών της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας.

Ερώτηση: Η υπόθεση της Τύμπου μαζί με Βαρώσια παίζει;

Ι. Κασουλίδης: Δεν ηγέρθη. Δεν είναι σε εμάς που θα εγείρει τέτοιο θέμα.

Ερώτηση: Υποτίθεται ότι ο Πρόεδρος της Δημοκρατίας πέρυσι κάτι είχε αναφέρει.

Ι. Κασουλίδης: Δεν ηγέρθη τέτοιο θέμα διότι ακόμα δεν συζητούμε αυτά τα θέματα. Η Τουρκία θεωρεί ότι όλα θα πρέπει να συζητηθούν μέσα στα πλαίσια της συζήτησης της ουσίας.

Ερώτηση: Τοποθετήθηκε ο Γενικός Γραμματέας στη θέση σας για συνομιλίες το φθινόπωρο;

Ι. Κασουλίδης: Νομίζω ότι υπάρχει κατανόηση ότι δεν μπορούν να ξεκινήσουν νωρίτερα από την περίοδο του φθινοπώρου οι συνομιλίες.

Ερώτηση: Ενεργειακά Μέτρα Οικοδόμησης Εμπιστοσύνης εγείρει κανένας σε εμάς; Δεν λέω ο Γενικός Γραμματέας, αλλά γνωρίζουμε ότι η Τουρκία τα έχει εγείρει, ο κ. Έρογλου τα έχει εγείρει, άρθρα πολλά βλέπουμε τώρα σε σχέση με την οικονομική κρίση…

Ι. Κασουλίδης: Εμείς θεωρούμε ότι τα θέματα που αφορούν το φυσικό αέριο είναι εντελώς εκτός των θεμάτων που αφορούν τις προσπάθειες για λύση του Κυπριακού. Ότι είναι κίνητρο για να λυθεί το Κυπριακό, είναι , αλλά διαφορετικά είναι της αποκλειστικής δικαιοδοσίας του νόμιμου κράτους που είναι η Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία. Ούτε ο Γενικός Γραμματέας ασφαλώς, αλλά ούτε και ο κύριος Downer ήγειραν ποτέ θέματα που αφορούν την ενέργεια.

Ερώτηση: Κύριε Υπουργέ, για τις δηλώσεις του Όλι Ρέν και του Γενικού Γραμματέα του ΝΑΤΟ έχετε κάποια τοποθέτηση;

Ι. Κασουλίδης: Ο Πρόεδρος Αναστασιάδης έκανε μια γραπτή δήλωση, όπως ξέρετε. Αν νομίζει ο Γενικός Γραμματέας του ΝΑΤΟ ότι με τέτοιου είδους δηλώσεις βοηθά τις προσπάθειες για λύση του Κυπριακού, κάνει λάθος. Απεναντίας παρατείνει τον χρόνο στον οποίο θα μπορέσει να προκύψει λύση με αποτέλεσμα τα προβλήματα ΝΑΤΟ και ΕΕ να μην λύονται.

OPCW 11th Regional Meeting of National Authorities of States Parties in Asia

Nicosia, 8 May 2013

Madam Deputy Director General,
Distinguished Representatives of National Authorities
and Members of the Technical Secretariat,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you on behalf of the government of the Republic of Cyprus to the 11th Regional Meeting of National Authorities of States Parties in Asia. Cyprus feels privileged to be hosting this meeting and is truly honoured by your presence. I am well aware that many of you have travelled a long way in order to be here and this we very much appreciate.

I would like to extend a particularly warm welcome to H.E. the Deputy Director General of the OPCW, Ambassador Grace Asirwatham, and express my gratitude for her visit to Cyprus on the occasion of this meeting as well as for the series of bilateral consultations that we have had the opportunity to hold.

Last but certainly not least, I wish to extend my appreciation to the Technical Secretariat staff for their dedicated work and close cooperation in the preparation of this meeting.

Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The hosting of this meeting is but one example of Cyprus’s unequivocal commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and to the work of the OPCW. Cyprus is also particularly pleased to be in a position, through the hosting of this meeting, to make a tangible contribution to the collaboration between the States Parties of the Asia Group.

From the very early days of the OPCW, Cyprus, free of a strong national agenda, has aimed at being a constructive member of the Organisation, supporting the role and the work of the Technical Secretariat, and advocating the need for close cooperation between States Parties. Whilst, as in every international organisation, differences of opinion arise, it is vital that, based on a cooperative approach and through the filter of consultation and negotiation, emerge consensual decisions that benefit the work of the OPCW. Indeed, the Organisation has an outstanding track-record of consensual decision-making of which the Third Review Conference that took place last month in The Hague, is but one, if significant, example. I wish to assure you of my government’s continued determination to contribute positively, to the best of its abilities, to the work of the Organisation and the mutual understanding between States Parties.

The importance that Cyprus attaches to the OPCW is simply a natural consequence of the importance it attaches to the object and purpose of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The goal of a world free of chemical weapons is deeply humanitarian in nature and instills upon us a moral responsibility. Suffice it to recall the horrors experienced by the victims of chemical weapons: at different places, in different times, under different circumstances yet a common element in all cases is the terrible human suffering inflicted. By joining the OPCW we have all committed to work towards preventing such crimes being repeated; anywhere and by anyone.

The best way of honouring the memory of victims of chemical warfare is through concrete action towards implementing all the provisions of the Convention. And for this it is essential that we – the States Parties – do our part. This is where the object of the meeting for which we have gathered here today connects with the overarching goals of the OPCW. As States Parties, we are here to exchange experiences and learn from each other, in order to be in a position to better fulfill the requirements of the Convention. Through the improvement of the implementation of the Convention at the national level, we make our tangible contribution towards a world free of chemical weapons.

Each State Party’s needs, means and circumstances are without doubt different. As a small country, Cyprus is well aware of the resources needed to properly implement our obligations under the Convention and the competing priorities that often exist. This is why this meeting is an excellent opportunity to benefit from each other’s knowledge as well as the invaluable expertise and assistance of the Technical Secretariat in order to improve our contribution to the implementation of the Convention. The Cypriot authorities are looking forward to sharing with you their experiences and, perhaps more importantly, benefiting from your own expertise and best-practices.

Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Last year we celebrated the 15th anniversary of the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention. In these 15 or so years, a great deal has been done towards achieving the object and purpose of the Convention. Destruction of chemical weapons has progressed significantly, 188 States are now Parties to the Convention whilst a lot of effort has been invested in the full implementation of all the provisions of the Convention. As a result, the OPCW remains an excellent example of effective multilateralism.

Needless to say, our work does not end here. At the recent Third Review Conference, which the UN Secretary General addressed for the first time, we collectively took decisions that will guide the work of the Organisation in the time ahead. The recommendations of the Review Conference allow the OPCW to work towards adapting to contemporary and future challenges brought about by the ever-changing security environment. In parallel, I would like to underline that it remains a priority to complete the destruction of chemical weapons at the earliest time possible as well as to pursue the universality of the Convention. It is now for us States Parties, in the same spirit of consensus, and in tandem with the Technical Secretariat, to carry the work of the Organisation forward.

The Third Review Conference also considered the situation in Syria. Cyprus, as a country which shares traditional, strong bonds of friendship with the Arab world including the people of Syria, cannot but be deeply concerned by the events taking place in this neighbouring country. At the Review Conference the States Parties expressed their shared concern that “chemical weapons may have been used […] and underlined that the use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances would be reprehensible and completely contrary to the legal norms and standards of the international community”. I would like to take the opportunity to commend the Director General and the Technical Secretariat for their readiness to assist the UN Secretary General in the conduct of a mission for the investigation of alleged use of chemical weapons.

Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The possibility of use of chemical weapons has served as a stark reminder of the seriousness of the danger posed by these weapons. Allow me then to conclude by coming back to my earlier point regarding the humanitarian nature of the object and purpose of the Convention. Whilst our thoughts turn to the tragic effects on humanity of past use of chemical weapons, through our active participation in the work of the Organisation we contribute concretely in efforts to ensure that such events never occur again. I would like to assure you of Cyprus’s full commitment to continue working with all States Parties and the Technical Secretariat to achieve our common aim of a world free of chemical weapons.

I have no doubt that the ideals underpinning the OPCW will inspire your work over the next three days.

I conclude with once again welcoming you and wishing you a productive meeting and an enjoyable stay in Cyprus.

I thank you for your attention.

	United Nations		A/67/824–S/2013/211
	General Assembly Security Council				Distr.: General 4 April 2013 Original: English

General Assembly                                                           Security Council
Sixty-seventh session                                                             Sixty-eight year
Agenda item 43
Question of Cyprus

Letter dated  3 April 2013 from the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

I have the honour to refer to document A/67/742-S/2013/95, dated 20 February 2013, in which the outcome documents of the twelfth session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Summit, held in Cairo from 2 to 7 February 2013, were circulated to the membership of the United Nations at the request of Egypt, in its capacity as Chair of the Summit. It is noted that the aforementioned documents are circulated under a wide range of items on the agenda of the General Assembly and the Security Council, including the “Question of Cyprus”.

           This leaves me no choice but to recall that the only competent international organization to deal with the substance of the Cyprus problem is the United Nations, under whose auspices efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement are under way.

           I wish to also emphasize that the principal documents on the situation in Cyprus are those issued by the Security Council and the General Assembly, which guide the actions of the international community on Cyprus since 1964, specifically, Security Council resolution 186 (1964). I am also obliged to recall landmark subsequent resolutions, particularly General Assembly resolutions 3212 (1974) and 37/253 and Security Council resolutions 541 (1983) and 550 (1984).

           The United Nations decisively calls on all States to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. Proclamations, therefore, on the situation in Cyprus ought to follow this line, especially by organizations that are observers to the work of the General Assembly and seek to enhance their cooperation with the United Nations, like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

           I should be grateful if you would circulate the present letter as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda item 43, and of the Security Council.

(Signed) Nicholas Emiliou
Ambassador
Permanent Representative

The two Ambassadors reaffirmed the friendly ties that unite Cyprus and Fiji and welcomed the formalization of their relationships while at the same time wished to strengthen their relations and scope of cooperation in all international fora.

Η Ομάδα Εργασίας για τους Στόχους Αειφόρου Ανάπτυξης αποφασίστηκε στη Σύνοδο του ΟΗΕ για την Αειφόρο Ανάπτυξη που έλαβε χώρα στο Ρίο τον Ιούνιο του 2012 ( Ρίο + 20) και έχει ως σκοπό την εκπόνηση μιας οικουμενικής δέσμης στόχων αειφόρου ανάπτυξης που θα είναι εφαρμόσιμοι για όλους, αναπτυσσόμενες και αναπτυγμένες χώρες.

Στη διάρκεια των δύο ημερών αναπτύχθηκε ένας διάλογος από τα κράτη μέλη γύρω από τις προσδοκίες και επιθυμίες των κρατών μελών για το έργο της Ομάδας ενώ αφιερώθηκε χρόνος για συζήτηση με αντιπροσώπους της κοινωνίας των πολιτών και μη-κυβερνητικών οργανισμών.

Ο Μόνιμος Αντιπρόσωπος της Κύπρου, Πρέσβης Νικόλας Αιμιλίου μίλησε στη συνάντηση εκ μέρους του τρίο με το οποίο η Κύπρος συμμετέχει στην Ομάδα,  αυτό της Κύπρου, των  Ηνωμένων Αραβικών Εμιράτων και της Σιγκαπούρης.

Oι δύο Πρέσβεις επαναβεβαίωσαν τους φιλικούς δεσμούς που συνδέουν την Κύπρο και το Fiji και εξέφρασαν ικανοποίηση για την επισημοποίηση των σχέσεων τους ενώ ευχήθηκαν ταυτόχρονα οι σχέσεις τους να ενδυναμώσουν και το πεδίο συνεργασίας τους να επεκταθεί περαιτέρω σε όλα τα διεθνή βήματα