Cyprus News Brussels Edition

CYPRUS NEWS BRUSSELS EDITION Monthly Bulletin April 2011 Issue No. 14 Covering the period 1-31 March Christoas tables EU leaders focus on economy and Libya new proposal in Union of the European Council Cyprus negotiations President Demetris Christoas and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu held further sessions of UN-sponsored negotiations on a Cyprus settlement in Nicosia on 4, 9, 18, 23 and 30 March. In a new initiative on 23 March, President Christoas proposed that a census should be held in the Government-controlled and Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, under the auspices of the UN. Responding to the call by UN Secretary General Ban Ki- moon for practical steps to give impetus to the negotiating process, the President Ŗ$TWUUGNUYGNEQOG2TGUKFGPV%JTKUVQſCUKUITGGVGFD[*GTOCP8CP4QORW[VJG'WTQRGCP%QWPEKN2TGUKFGPV explained that the results of an independent The adoption of a comprehensive package census would provide essential data for The European Council also adopted of measures to respond to the global the Euro Plus Pact, as agreed by the euro the resolution of the dicult issue of the nancial crisis was the central theme of the large number of settlers brought illegally area Heads of State and Government on 11 Spring European Council on 24-25 March. March. Speaking on 11 March, President into the occupied area from Turkey since Speaking after the summit, President Christoas welcomed the goals expressed the Turkish invasion in 1974. However, the Christoas said that the package of measures in the Pact, stating that it is important that proposal elicited no positive response from was the result of long consultations during member states retain the power to decide Mr Eroglu. which Cyprus put forward its concerns their own national policies and measures to Speaking in Nicosia on 17 March at a and positions. “Our main concerns were to achieve these goals. conference on Cyprus organised by The safeguard our philosophy for a social state Economist weekly journal (see page 3), and to make sure that the particularities Libya President Christoas reported that in the of small member states were taken into Central in the discussions at the Spring negotiations on issues concerning territory, account”, stated the President, adding that European Council was also the situation settlers, security, guarantees and property Cyprus has consistently put forward these in Libya. President Christoas expressed rights “there has been no substantive positions during the discussions. deep concern at the current developments, convergence”. Since the arrival of Mr Eroglu In this context, the President reported stressing that priority should be given in the Turkish Cypriot leadership in May that Cyprus had submitted with Malta a to achieving an immediate ceasere by 2010, he said, progress in the negotiations joint declaration in which the two countries all parties concerned and to protect the had been minimal, so that there remained a underlined that a common corporate tax civilians. basis should respect the comparative and “huge gap between the positions of the two “The international community”, he competitive advantage of member states. He sides”. said, “must only undertake actions that added that discussions would continue on are absolutely necessary for the benet of Concern about the lack of progress in the basis of proposals from the Commission. the talks was expressed by UN Secretary the Libyan people and in accordance with Cyprus and Malta also submitted a joint UN Security Council Resolution 1973”. The General Ban Ki-moon on 4 March in his latest declaration concerning the setting up of the President added that “the international report on Cyprus to the Security Council. European Stability Mechanism (ESM), which Noting that “it is important that the parties will succeed the European Financial Stability community must not undertake any actions reach convergences on the outstanding core Facility (EFSF) in 2013. In the declaration which might lead to a longstanding dispute issues as soon as possible”, he wrote that it was underlined that the provision that in Libya or to the division of the country”. He the leaders “must demonstrate courageous the ESM would be activated only when the also underlined that the process of transition and dedicated leadership and take practical stability of the eurozone as a whole is at risk, to democracy must remain in the hands of steps to bring the negotiations to a does not exclude any eurozone member the Libyan people and that “any involvement conclusion”. state from receiving nancial assistance by the EU should only be undertaken on the from the ESM, if the need arises. invitation of the parties concerned”. Concerns about Turkey’s nuclear plans Christofias visits Israel and West Bank Famagusta “arrests” condemned New Cypriot Ambassador to Belgium University of Cyprus expands Concern about Turkish nuclear plans Turkish Cypriots take A call for collective action by the EU towards neighbouring countries” as regards regarding the proposed construction of a nuclear safety and reiterated Cyprus’ strong protest to Brussels nuclear power station at Akkuyu, on the concern about Turkey’s plans to build a seismologically unstable southern coast of nuclear power station at Akkuyu. In this Turkish Cypriot trade unionists opposed Turkey, was made by President Demetris respect, he called on EU member states, in a to the austerity package and privatisation Christoas during discussions on nuclear collective action, to exert pressure on Turkey measures imposed in the occupied area at safety at the European Council in Brussels on so that it reviewed its plans. Cyprus’ concerns the behest of Turkey, having stated a further 24-25 March, in the wake of the crisis at the were echoed by other European leaders, mass demonstration on 2 March in the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan caused by as well as by Greek Cypriot and Turkish occupied area, brought their protest to EU the earthquake on 11 March. Cypriot parties and environmental groups. headquarters on 22 March. Demonstrating Speaking on 25 March, President zThe Cyprus House of Representatives on outside the European Parliament building, Christoas welcomed the reference in the 17 March adopted a resolution urging the the trade unionists complained in particular European Council Conclusions that “the international community to persuade Turkey that Turkish Cypriot identity is being eroded highest standards for nuclear safety should to review its plan to construct a nuclear by the large number of settlers being be implemented and continuously improved power station at Akkuyu. Calling on the EU brought illegally into the occupied area in the EU and promoted internationally”, in particular to monitor Turkey’s intended from Turkey. stressing that nuclear safety “cannot stop at programme closely, the House recalled its our borders”. resolution of July 2008 expressing concern He further said that recent events in about the short distance between the Japan “force all of us to be more demanding Akkuyu site and Cyprus. New ambassador to Belgium presents Christoas visits Israel and West Bank her credentials Joint exploitation of the large natural gas President Christoas was accompanied The new Ambassador of the Republic of reserves thought to lie in the Cypriot and by a large business delegation with a view to Cyprus to the Kingdom of Belgium, Mrs Israeli exclusive economic zones in the giving impetus to Cypriot-Israeli economic Athena Mavronicola-Droushiotis, presented Eastern Mediterranean featured prominently relations. Four bilateral agreements signed her credentials to His Majesty the King of in talks which President Demetris Christoas during the visit included a memorandum Belgium, Albert II, at an ocial ceremony had during a visit to Israel on 13-15 March. It of understanding on co-operation between held at the Laken Royal Palace in Brussels on was the rst visit to Israel by a Cypriot head the Cyprus and Tel Aviv stock exchanges. 16 March. of state for 11 years. During the talks with President Shimon Cyprus News Agency News Cyprus Following the presentation of the Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin credentials, the Ambassador was received Netanyahu, President Christoas rearmed by King Albert II in a private meeting. The Cyprus’ support for a two-state solution to Ambassador briefed His Majsesty on the the Israeli-Palestinian conict with a state of course of the negotiations and the latest Israel and a state of Palestine living side by developments on the Cyprus problem. Mrs side in peace and security. Mavronicola-Droushiotis also referred to the President Christoas then undertook strong ties between Cyprus and Belgium a visit to the Palestinian Authority in and expressed her willingness to work Ramallah on the West Bank. In talks with towards the further enhancement of the President Mahmoud Abbas, President relations between the two countries. Christoas reiterated Cyprus’ support for King Albert II referred to the latest a two-state solution and also announced developments in the Middle East and in a Cypriot donation of US$1 million for the North Africa and expressed special interest tJerusalem talks... President Christoas (left) confers with construction of a new hospital on the West in the important role of Cyprus as a bridge Israeli President Shimon Peres. Bank. between Europe and the countries of the region. He also expressed interest in the forthcoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU and in the challenges that Cyprus will face both at the political and the Strong protests at Famagusta “arrests” economic levels. Mario Cianchetti The Cyprus Government, European Mariya Nedelcheva, the Bishop of Neapolis Parliament President Jerzy Buzek and other Porfyrios and two more civilians. European leaders protested vigorously at the Former Cypriot MEP Yiannakis Matsis “arrest” on 12 March by Turkish occupation and Loizos Afxentiou of the Famagusta forces of a nine-member delegation, Refugee Movement were held by the including one Cypriot and three foreign Turkish Cypriot “authorities” until being MEPs, in the fenced-o Varosha district of brought before a so-called “court” on 14 occupied Famagusta.

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