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| Statements by the Presidents of Cyprus and Slovakia
19/04/2007 |
The President of the Republic Mr Tassos Papadopoulos expressed the Cyprus Government’s gratitude for Slovakia’s positions of principle on the Cyprus issue, during a meeting he had today with the President of Slovakia Mr Ivan Gasparovic, who is on an official visit to Cyprus.
‘We are grateful to Slovakia for the positions of principle which for many years has supported on all issues concerning Cyprus, in the European Union, the Council of Europe and more importantly in the United Nations Security Council, where Slovakia is a non permanent member”, President Papadopoulos said in his statement.
He further said that he had the opportunity to discuss with Mr Gasparovic bilateral relations and ways to further promote these relations, as well as international issues, which affect both countries. He also expressed satisfaction that on many issues Cyprus and Slovakia have identical views.
President Papadopoulos noted that Slovakia’s developing economy and industry exhibits attractive opportunities for Cypriots, adding that he is happy that the Slovak President is accompanied by a delegation of business people.
On his part, the Slovak President said that Slovakia as a non permanent member of the UN Security Council is following closely the progress on the Cyprus problem and assured that his country will do everything possible to solve the Cyprus problem in a positive manner for the Cyprus government.
President Gasparovic said that during the talks he had with President Papadopoulos they discussed, inter alia, the issue of Kosovo and Turkey’s EU accession prospects, and noted that there was an agreement on most issues.
Invited to say what Cyprus’ position is on the issue of Kosovo, President Papadopoulos expressed the hope that its solution will be achieved within the best possible agreement, adding that a new Security Council decision is necessary.
Replying to a question on the developments in the Cyprus problem, President Papadopoulos said that after many months of efforts, a new UN initiative was achieved, the Gambari Agreement of 8th July 2006. Apparently, he added, the Agreement does not satisfy Turkey, the Turkish Cypriots and Mr Talat and they are trying to divert the agreement from the discussion of substantial issues, bringing back the Annan Plan as a basis for the discussion.
President Papadopoulos said that Mr Talat does not miss any opportunity to say that he wants reunification, however all actions are leading towards secessionist trends. He finally expressed the hope that the UN Secretariat and the Security Council will call on the Turkish Cypriot side to reactivate, unconditionally, the Gambari procedure on Cyprus.
The Slovak President, replying to a question on Slovakia’s position regarding the issue of Turkey’s EU accession as well as the fact that Turkey does not recognize an EU member state, said that the European Union favours Turkey’s accession to the EU, just as the Republic of Cyprus does, but surely with the precondition that it fulfils the conditions and regulations that apply for all EU states.
Mr Gasparovic said that it is time to speak more specifically and absolutely about fulfilling the terms and preconditions and even set a specific date on the issue of Turkey’s accession to the EU. He added that he does not care much about the economic issues, but the political issues, and specifically the Cyprus problem. |
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