By Emilia Christofi
Kampala, Nov 25 (CNA) — Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has described as satisfactory a reference to Cyprus in the Joint Communique approved by the Commonwealth Heads of Government at their summit, earlier today in Kampala.
Before departing from Uganda, President Papadopoulos told CNA that “all our views were incorporated in the resolution on Cyprus.â€
Meanwhile, Cyprus Foreign Minister Erato Kazakou-Markoullis, in a written statement, described as “particularly satisfactory the whole of references incorporated in the Cyprus paragraph of the Joint Communique approved today by the Commonwealth Heads of Government.â€
The paragraph on Cyprus, she added, “constitutes a strong support on the part of the Commonwealth towards the Cyprus Republic and the struggle waged by the government in promoting a correct solution†to the Cyprus problem.
Markoullis noted that references on Cyprus in the Joint Communique were “particularly positive†as they reaffirm the Commonwealth’s support to a solution based on the correct parameters of the Cyprus question, which are the restoration of human rights of all Cypriots, respect of decisions taken by the European Court of Human Rights and implementation of UN Security Council resolutions by the occupying power, namely Turkey.
“By this clear way, the Heads of Government have given the right answer to Turkey, which promotes openly partitionist and racist solutions… and the consolidation of the faits accomplis created by the Turkish invasion and occupation,†the Cypriot minister pointed out.
In their Joint Communique, the Commonwealth leaders reaffirmed their previous Communiques on Cyprus, expressing their support for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus.
They expressed their support for a lasting, just and functional settlement based on the principles of the United Nations Charter, the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the principles of the Commonwealth.
“Heads of Government called for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions on Cyprus, in particular Security Council Resolutions 365 (1974), 541 (1983), 550 (1984), 1250 (1999) and all subsequent resolutions,†the leaders said.
At the same time, they reiterated their support for the respect of human rights of all Cypriots, including the right to property, the implementation of the relevant resolutions of the European Court of Human Rights and for the accounting for all missing persons.
Heads of Government further agreed on the importance of supporting the efforts of the UN Secretary General to bring about a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem in line with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.
The Commonwealth leaders Heads welcomed the principles and decisions “enshrined in the 8 July Agreement and stressed the need to start the process as described in UN Under-Secretary General Gambari’s letter of 15 November 2006, without delay and without preconditions, in order to prepare the ground for full-fledged negotiations, leading to a comprehensive and durable settlement”.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. Ankara has ignored numerous UN resolutions calling for the immediate withdrawal of its troops from this east Mediterranean island Republic, an EU member since May 2004.
President Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on 8 July 2006, in the presence of then UN Undersecretary for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari, to set up special committees and working groups to deal with day-to-day issues of the people’s daily life and discuss the core issues of the Cyprus problem, thus preparing the ground for substantive negotiations leading to a comprehensive solution to the long-standing Cyprus problem. The Turkish side has failed to implement the 8 July aggreement.
