Day: May 2, 2023

Cyprus’ Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said that recent reports on the sale of hotels owned by Greek Cypriots in the fenced off area of Varosha, in the occupied part of Famagusta, were being investigated, noting that deeds involving the sale of properties in the occupied territories by Greek Cypriots to non-Greek Cypriots are not accepted and no title deeds are issued. Spokesman of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Theodoros Gotsis, told CNA, after a meeting of Minister, Constantinos Kombos, with the Mayor and members of the Municipal Council of the Famagusta Municipality, that the meeting had been planned, prior to the reports, to discuss the wider issue of occupied Famagusta, and for an exchange of views as well as discussion for further actions after Kombos assumed his duties as Foreign Minister. Regarding the issue that has arisen, Gotsis said, the Minister stressed that the issue of the sale of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas was ‘particularly serious’ and that the competent authorities of the Republic are investigating allegations in a recent report in the Turkish Cypriot press on the sale of hotels in the fenced off area of Varosha. The Spokesperson of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, noted that documents regarding the sale of properties in the occupied territories, by Greek Cypriots to non-Greek Cypriots, ‘are not accepted and no relevant title deeds are issued’. He also noted that the Republic of Cyprus expresses strong concern over this development as well as from Turkey’s recent actions for the settlement of the fenced off area of Varosha. The application of the provisions of UN Resolutions – 550 of 1984 and 789 of 1992 – remains the only way out, he added. Gotsis also said, that, the Government, from day one since assuming power, has made clear in all directions its unwavering adherence to the framework of the Bizonal Bicommunal Federation solution, with political equality, as defined in the relevant Resolutions of the UN General Assembly, ‘and that is where the initiative of President Christodoulides aims, for the EU’s contribution, so that the resumption of the talks becomes possible the soonest possible’. He noted that the UN Security Council considers attempts for the settlement of any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as unacceptable and requests the transfer of this area under the administration of the United Nations. In his statements after the meeting with the Foreign Minister, Famagusta mayor, Simos Ioannou, said that Kombos mentioned to them some proposals as regards giving the people of Famagusta, especially, ‘hope’ that a return to the city will be possible. The mayor noted that the first generation of refugees has died and the second was following suit, and it was important for the third generation to have a connection with Famagusta, because this bond weakens, and it was easier to take actions at no cost to them. In the meantime, Interior Minister, Constantinos Ioannou, asked about the matter after a meeting with the Justice Minister, he said that, no sales deed was submitted to the Land Registry Department, nor was the Ministry’s approval requested for such a thing, while the Ministry has no legitimacy to give its approval for a private law act. As regards the case in question, he pointed out, that, what happened, was that the signatories’ signature was certified, not the content of the document. Ioannou said that this was a development that causes concern, and that his Ministry was in contact with the Attorney General, ‘to see how we can handle such cases’. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Varosha, the fenced off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, is often described as a ‘ghost town’. The Turkish Cypriot leadership announced in July 2021 a partial lifting of the military status in Varosha. A few months earlier, on October 8, 2020, the Turkish side opened part of the fenced area of Varosha, following an announcement made in Ankara on October 6. The UN Security Council called for the reversal of this course of action, while the UN Secretary General, in his latest report on his mission of good offices in Cyprus, reiterated his concern over developments in the fenced-off area, noting that the position of the UN on Varosha remains unchanged. The EU also expressed grave concern.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives discussed the strengthening of cooperation between Cyprus and Armenia with a delegation of Armenian MPs, which was received in the House on Tuesday. Committee Chairman and DISY MP Harris Georgiades said that the situation in Cyprus is difficult, because there is no agreement on the Cyprus problem, due to the Turkish unwillingness to negotiate. “Turkey is interested in consolidating the occupation fait accompli,” he noted, and expressed willingness to use Cyprus’ participation in the EU and other forums to inform international public opinion. In his statements after the meeting, Georgiades noted that “the historical and cultural ties that link Cyprus and Armenia are well known, but the challenges we face are also common’, adding that Cyprus’ support for Armenia is a given. “We have decided that there will be further coordination at the parliamentary level in order to conduct an information campaign and promote the common agenda of the two countries’ interests,” he concluded. AKEL MP George Loukaides said that ties between Cyprus-Armenia are at the highest possible level and expressed through solidarity on important political issues. He added that the resolution of the Cypriot Parliament condemning Azerbaijan’s stance on Nagorno Karabakh is no coincidence. He added that there is room for further strengthening cooperation between the two countries on education and tourism issues, indicating at the same time that the presence of diplomatic missions should be a priority. DIKO MP Chrysis Pantelidis said that relations between Cyprus and Armenia are not only based on the historical ties and the existence of the Armenian community in Cyprus, but also on the fact that the two countries must cooperate against the expansionist intentions of Turkey and Azerbaijan. Christos Christou, President and MP of ELAM, said that Cyprus and Armenia share a common history and further stressed the need for cooperation to address common challenges. Marios Garoyian, President and DIPA MP, noted that Turkey has not hidden its aspirations towards Cyprus and Armenia and indicated that Cyprus and Armenia must act in a coordinated manner. Alexandra Attalides, MP of the Ecologists’ Movement, expressed the Movement’s solidarity with the struggle of the Armenians of Artsakh, adding that the positions of the Ecologists’ Movement are reflected in the resolution of the Parliament. Vartkes Mahdessian, Parliamentary Representative of the Armenian community of Cyprus, said that Cyprus and Armenia are two countries with common problems and a common enemy. “The Armenians of Lachin have been held hostage by the Azeris for 140 days, which is a violation of the November 9, 2020 agreement,” he noted. Hayk Konjoryan, Chairman of the Armenian parliamentary delegation, invited the Cypriot MPs to Armenia and expressed his appreciation for the Cypriot stance towards Azerbaijan’s aggression in Nagorno Karabakh, as well as gratitude for the condemnatory resolution of the Cypriot parliament regarding Azerbaijan’s aggression.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The EU on Tuesday condemned a recent attempt to assassinate Bulgaria’s chief prosecutor. The attempt on the life of Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev was a ‘senseless and cowardly act of violence that has no place in our society,’ European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper told reporters in Brussels. Reiterating that they expect Bulgarian authorities to bring the perpetrators of the attempt to justice, she added: ‘At this stage, we are in no position to speculate on any motives behind the attack.” Similarly, in a statement, European Chief Prosecutor Laura Koves condemned the attempt ‘in the strongest possible terms.’ “In the European Union, criminals who dare to target any member of the judiciary should be considered extremely dangerous and combatted with utmost determination,’ she said, adding that she trusts Bulgarian authorities to take all the necessary measures to protect the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. Borislav Sarafov, the head of the Bulgarian National Investigation Service, said on Monday that Geshev was targeted for assassination when a bomb exploded on a motorway as his motorcade drove past.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Ukrainian parliament on Tuesday adopted bills to extend martial law and general mobilization in the country for another 90 days. The bills were introduced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday and were approved by the Verkhovna Rada (parliament). The martial law, which has been in effect since Feb. 24, 2002, has been extended until August 18, 2023. Under the law on general mobilization, conscripted men are prohibited from leaving the country. Except where prohibited by law, the summons may be served by any authorized official, including the heads of the institution, organization, and enterprise where the conscript works, the heads of the housing and communal services, representatives of the house committee, and other officials.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Tuesday that the country’s membership in NATO is contingent on the decision of four member states. “(It depends) on about four member countries of the alliance and one of them is very big and important in NATO,” Kuleba said in an interview with Ukraine’s 1+1 television channel. The top diplomat said one of the four countries has already “started to waver” on Ukraine’s membership in NATO, a 31-state intergovernmental military alliance – 29 European and two North American – and that the process reminds him of the country’s efforts while attempting to receive candidate status for EU membership. “A week before this decision, the leaders of European countries told us that ‘this will never happen.’ Now it’s the same with NATO,’ he said, hoping that ‘we will solve this problem over time.” Kuleba’s comments on NATO membership come as the alliance prepares for its upcoming summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius in July. He said the decision to transfer F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine is only a ‘matter of time’ and that the transfer by the US will be related to the outcome of Ukraine’s long-awaited counteroffensive against Russia. “We will get the F-16. It is a matter of time and our job – the job of the president’s team – to make this decision as soon as possible. I think that this decision by the United States will be related to the outcome of the counteroffensive,” the foreign minister said. If Ukraine had already had the F-16, the counteroffensive would have been much faster and more civilians and Ukrainian soldiers would have been saved, he claimed. “But, unfortunately, today I have to state that there is no decision on the F-16, but we are moving towards it,” he said, adding that their current priority is to obtain artillery ammunition, armored vehicles, and F-16s. After securing the delivery of battle tanks in January, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked the West for fighter jets to defend its skies against Russian attacks, a request officially ruled out for now by countries such as the US and Germany.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Denmark Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen announced Tuesday that a new military support package worth pound 225 million ($247.5 million) for Ukraine is ‘on its way’ as the need remains imminent in the fight for the freedom and security of Europe. A tweet by the Foreign Ministry said a broad majority in parliament supports the provision of a large donation package and it includes vehicles, materials, defense ammunitions, field bridges, mine clearance hoses and financial contributions for the purchase of air defense aimed to further assist the Ukrainian army in combat missions. Rasmussen promised the donation but the package is conditional on a grant from the Finance Committee. “The Ukrainian fighting spirit is impressive. Ukraine is fighting for the security of the whole of Europe and the need for military support remains acute. I felt this myself last week when I met my Ukrainian Foreign Minister colleague in Odesa. The new military donation package is our largest to date, and the total Danish support is now almost DKK 11 billion ($1.6 billion). Denmark is certainly shouldering our share of the responsibility,” said Rasmussen. Denmark recently donated defense arms and materials worth DKK 9.5 million to Ukraine for combat needs in its war with Russia. “I am very pleased that a broad majority in the Folketing (parliament) is united in helping Ukrainians with their freedom struggle. It is a large donation package that we send off. The contents of the donation package are material specifically requested by Ukraine. I am proud that we in Denmark can meet this wish,” said acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday said that French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade Olivier Besht’s visit to the capital Astana will provide a major boost in developing the country’s partnership with Paris. ‘I believe that this visit will give a serious impetus to the development of our mutually beneficial partnership in many areas. France is our largest partner in Europe. I am firmly convinced that we have great opportunities for further cooperation,’ Tokayev said during a meeting with Besht, according to a statement by the Kazakh Presidency. The statement further said that Tokayev and Besht discussed the implementation of trade and investment agreements reached following Tokayev’s visit to France last November. Tokayev also expressed his readiness to provide ‘all the necessary conditions for a wider presence of French business in the Kazakh market,’ especially in the areas of petrochemicals, green energy, aviation, manufacturing, transport, and logistics. For his part, Besht thanked Tokayev for his hospitality and noted Paris’ satisfaction in terms of the dynamic development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and France. ‘Your official visit to Paris last November was very successful, it gave a real political impetus to bilateral relations. I know that our President (Emmanuel Macron) attaches great importance to his excellent relations with you, which makes it possible to hold detailed conversations on the most important international issues. ‘Therefore, he asked me to make every effort to develop our partnership. Your country is a reliable partner, a friendly state, and the only country in Central Asia with which we have established a strategic partnership,’ Besht said.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The UN urged a ‘thorough investigation’ Tuesday into the death of Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan. Adnan, a prominent Islamic Jihad group figure, who became a symbol of Palestinian resistance to Israeli detention policies, died earlier in the day after an 86-day hunger strike against his detention without trial or charge. ‘Israeli authorities must ensure that the circumstances of his death are thoroughly investigated,’ UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters. ‘The secretary-general reiterates his call on Israel to end the practice of administrative detention. All those held in administrative detention should be promptly charged and tried in a court of law or released without delay,’ he said.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Greek Supreme Court on Tuesday decided to exclude a neo-Nazi-linked party from the general election set for May 21 amid concerns that the party could directly impact the election outcome. The far-right National Party-Greeks, founded by imprisoned lawmaker Ilias Kasidiaris of the banned neo-Nazi Golden Dawn, does not meet the requirements to take part in the election, said the court, according to public broadcaster ERT. Nine members of the court’s A1 section voted in favor of the decision, with one dissent, it added. Daily Kathimerini reported that the court’s decision is based on a recent law that prohibits the participation in elections of those convicted of a number of serious offenses, including those involving a criminal organization. However, the court ruled that the EAN party, a far-right party founded by Anastasios Kanellopoulos, a former Supreme Court deputy prosecutor, met the legal requirements to compete in the election. Of 50 parties or coalitions that faced court challenges, 14 were banned from the race, the broadcaster also noted. The National Party-Greeks was founded two years ago by Kasidiaris, a former lawmaker who is serving a 13-year prison sentence for membership in the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn. In April, Greek media reported that if the party stayed in the running, it could change the outcome of the May 21 election, as the race tightens between the leading incumbent New Democracy Party and SYRIZA.

Source: Anadolu Agency