Day: December 1, 2022

The Cyprus issue and the Turkish provocations, bilateral cooperation and the Swedish presidency of the Council of the EU were on the agenda of the meeting the President of Parliament, Annita Demetriou, had on Thursday with the new Ambassador of Sweden, Martin Hagström.

A press release by the House says that Demetriou expressed her confidence that the cordial cooperation of the House of Representatives with the Embassy of Sweden will continue for the further strengthening of relations and cooperation, especially between the parliaments of the two countries, in areas of common interest.

She expressed sincere thanks for Sweden’s principled position regarding the Cyprus problem and its long-standing contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force. The Swedish Ambassador reaffirmed his country’s principled position and support for the efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, noting in particular the contribution of the Swedish Embassy in the promotion of interreligious dialogue.

The President of the Parliament pointed out that the multiple challenges Europe is faced with need to be tackled collectively in a spirit of solidarity and unity.

She also criticized Turkey’s increasing provocations and illegal actions against Cyprus, especially in the fenced off town of Famagusta, the further militarization of the occupied areas and as regards the illegal migrants from Turkey to the occupied areas and then to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

House President underlined the unwavering commitment of the Greek Cypriot side to the resumption of negotiations to find a just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue and to reunite the island in conditions of peace and security.

Referring to Sweden’s assumption of the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2023, Hagström noted as the main priorities of the Swedish Presidency the protection of the environment, the promotion of gender equality, tackling the energy and climate crisis in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the strengthening of the EU’s role in the world and EU competitiveness.

The President of the House informed the Ambassador about the initiatives and actions of the House of Representatives and herself, to strengthen the current legislative framework for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Demetriou noted that Cyprus is the first country in the world to pass a law making femicide a distinct crime punishable by an up-to lifetime jail sentence, it has criminalized sexism and sexism spread online.

After the meeting, the President of the Parliament and the President of the House Environment Committee Charalambos Theopemptou visited with Hagström the exhibition of the Swedish Embassy, on sustainable waste management, which is hosted in the Parliament building.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Turkey’s drilling ship “Abdülhamid Han” is in the Eastern Eastern Mediterranean, but in an area outside Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), according to a new NAVTEX by Ankara which comes into force on Friday, December 2.

Cyprus News Agency has learned that in line with the NAVTEX, the ship sails to an area near the Gulf of Antalya, in the Eastern Mediterranean. This area, sources have told the Agency, is located in the north-east of Cyprus, near the southern coast of Turkey, an area which is outside the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus.

According to the NAVTEX the Turkish drilling ship will be near the southern coast of Turkey until January 23, 2023.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

I will use the full weight of my office to support Cypriot-led, UN-facilitated efforts to reunify Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality for all Cypriots candidate for the position of the US Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie Fisher, has assured.

Speaking during the confirmation hearing for her nomination by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington, where chairman is Robert Menendez, Fisher said among others that “this Committee knows well that Cyprus sits on a critical seam between the Middle East and Europe. The Republic of Cyprus is a highly valued partner, and our bilateral relationship has deepened significantly in recent years on a range of priorities, from strengthening security in the Eastern Mediterranean to expanding economic and commercial ties.”

Moreover, Fisher said that Cyprus, Greece, and Israel plus the United States are forging new ground in the “3+1” format to promote regional cooperation on a broad range of pressing issues.

“Let me say this regarding the division of Cyprus: the United States remains clear. The status quo is unacceptable. If given the opportunity to serve, I will use the full weight of my office to support Cypriot-led, UN-facilitated efforts to reunify Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality for all Cypriots. I will meet with Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to advance our unwavering commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms.

“What I hope to contribute to this process is a sense of urgency. A key element of these talks is that they are being conducted under Cypriot leadership and the facilitation of the United Nations, and so I will primarily seek this direction. I think time is absolutely critical,” Fisher added.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

President Nicos Anastasiades said Thursday that the services of the office of the Commissioner of Administration (Ombudsman) in Cyprus are supportive of the state’s efforts for a society based on justice, equality and respect for diversity and of the rights of all citizens.

Addressing an event for the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the institution, the President said that this is an independent institution and that any attempts to interfere, fortunately due to the Commissioner’s efforts, were prevented. Therefore, he said, people realize that there are frameworks within which everyone should work.

He referred to a series of measures taken aiming at supporting and strengthening the efforts of each Commissioner such as the sufficient financial resources to the institution, based on the budget prepared every year by the Commissioner, an amendment to the legal framework regarding the competence of the Commissioner to act as the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture, the possibility of the Commissioner to conduct visits freely and unannounced to any place of detention etc.

The President said that with the aim of further strengthening the independence of the person appointed to the position, the appointment should receive the approval of the majority of the Parliament.

President Anastasiades also said that a Subcommittee of the UN re-evaluated the institution and accredited it as a National Human Rights Authority with an A status, recognizing that the institution is in full compliance with the Paris Principles and performs the task it has undertaken perfectly.

Source: Cyprus News Agency