Day: March 4, 2024

ANKARA: Israel announced Sunday that it has revised the title and lyrics of its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest as calls continued for the country's exclusion from the competition. It made the change after its original song, October Rain, and a subsequent version were rejected by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for containing political messages and came after Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged the songwriters to ensure that Israel will take part in the contest. The song Hurricane is a modified version of the rejected songs and is in compliance with EBU rules, according to Israel's Haaretz daily. The decision to modify the song was based on Herzog's recommendations, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Cooperation (KAN) reported. The report also said that the modified song will be shared with the public on March 10. Israel's second submission, Dance Forever, was rejected by the EBU for similar reasons. Israeli media reported that like October Rain, Dance Forever also made references to the Oct. 7 cross-border attack on Israel by the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian group Hamas. Source: Anadolu Agency

The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Greece, briefed on Monday, the Heads of the Diplomatic Missions of the Council of Europe, based in Athens, on the latest developments on the missing persons issue. The briefing was part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the island. Welcoming the Heads of the Diplomatic Missions, Ambassador Stavros Avgoustides, said that the pain still remains for the relatives of the missing persons and emphasized their inalienable right to be informed about the fate of their loved ones. The President of the Panhellenic Committee of Parents and Relatives of Undeclared POWs and Missing Persons Maria Kalbourtzi and the President of the Pancyprian Organization of Relatives of Undeclared POWs and Missing Persons Nikos Sergidis also addressed the participants. Former Attorney General of the Republic of Cyprus Costas Clerides gave a detailed presentation on the legal aspects of the humanitarian issue of the missing persons and informed the Heads of th e Diplomatic Missions about the continuous efforts of the Republic to determine the fate of each missing person. Maria Leontiou-Georgiou, daughter of a missing person from Cyprus, and Vasiliki Zoi, whose uncle from Greece is still on the long list of missing persons, recounted their personal experiences of the unresolved fate of their relatives, with particular emphasis on the ongoing pain they have been experiencing for 50 years. During the event, a documentary was shown and then poet and Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Dimitris Chrysochos read two of his poems on the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the issue of the missing persons. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Since then, the fate of hundreds of people remains unknown. A Committee on Missing Persons has been established, upon agreement between the leaders of the two communities, with the scope of exhuming, identifying and returning to their relatives the remains of 492 Turkish Cypriots and 1,510 Greek Cypriots, who went missing during the inter-communal fighting of 1963-1964 and in 1974. According to statistical data published on the CMP website by December 31, 2023, out of 2002 missing persons 1,228 were exhumed and 1,044 were identified. Out of 1510 Greek Cypriot missing persons 751 were identified and 759 are still missing. Out of 492 Turkish Cypriot missing persons 293 were identified and 199 are still missing. Source: Cyprus News Agency

ISTANBUL: The third edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), which concluded on Sunday, garnered significant attention on a global scale. Almost 5,000 participants from 148 countries attended the forum, 19 state leaders and 52 foreign ministers were among them. Not only practitioners but also a rich variety of stakeholders were present at the forum, including world-renowned journalists, businessmen and even students who had the chance to witness diplomacy in practice and receive first-hand information from prominent policymakers on a wide range of global issues. The event marks a huge step forward, solidifying its status as a recognized diplomatic gathering alongside counterparts like Munich and Davos, criticized for being merely 'talk shops.' However, the ADF stands out from similar events due to the robust representation of the Global South. Translating political discussions into concrete solutions also distinguishes ADF from other events alike. Gaza crisis and Russia-Ukraine war In the light of res ilient challenges within the international system, the forum took place under the overarching theme, 'Advancing Diplomacy in Times of Turmoil.' Serious conversations around other key issues were at the table including peace and security in the Middle East, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in diplomacy, xenophobia, Africa's potential, the security capability of the EU, sustainable development, food security and even space-related issues. In his opening remarks, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan powerfully emphasized that against common expectations, the 21st century has become more and more an age of turmoil in which the international society falls short in fulfilling its responsibilities against humanity. Highlighting atrocities in Gaza and in other places in the Middle East and the urgent need for immediate action, Erdogan stressed the significance of multilateral diplomacy in resolving such issues. Israeli actions were among the top of the agenda during the forum. Especially in the Gaza contac t group panel, it was boldly stated that unilateral third-party involvement would create deeper future problems, and the lack of enforcement mechanisms in international law continues to encourage aggressors. South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor actively participated in numerous panels. The robust representation of South Africa at the forum, a country known for its prolonged fight against apartheid, sends a firm message to the international community regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Given that Trkiye and South Africa share common perspectives in advocating concrete actions against Israel rather than mere rhetoric, this presence underscores their shared commitment. The forum continued to be a platform for amplifying voices often marginalized in global discourse. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's emphasis on Western efforts to utilize the current international climate to impose its own rules compels us to reconsider the nature of international governance institutions' current structur e. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was also among the leaders who highlighted a pressing requirement for pluralism in international relations. He stressed Hungary's role as a dissenting voice in the EU, never hesitant to express its own views on the immediate need for a cease-fire in the Russia-Ukraine war as well as differing positions on migration, family and transatlantic relations. Dialogue and cooperation Since its inaugural edition in 2021, the ADF signified its importance for being a stage for dialogue and cooperation. As is well known, the first meeting between Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministers took place during the second edition of ADF in 2022, shortly after the outbreak of the war. The ADF sustained its role in eliminating physical and political barriers in front of diplomacy this year. Beyond Erdogan's talks with 11 heads of state and Foreign Minister Fidan's meeting with 32 of his counterparts, ADF has continued to serve as a platform for diplomacy amid high-tension hotspots all ar ound the world. A panel discussion on the Sahel region emerged as particularly significant, bringing together foreign ministers and deputy ministers from Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Ghana. Despite differing views on political issues, these African top diplomats criticized external interventions that have clearly been ineffective in addressing Africa's problems, and for disregarding local realities and African ownership. This perspective resonates with Fidan's call for diverse approaches to global relations, emphasizing regional ownership. Fidan also described the forum as a platform for accommodating various worldviews. This view on the role of the ADF appears to be more pertinent than ever in the years ahead. *Opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Anadolu Source: Anadolu Agency

I hope that this monument will serve as a constant reminder of the sacrifices and commitment made by peacekeepers for peace in this island, said Colin Stewart, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cyprus, on Monday, at the inauguration of a monument dedicated to the contribution of UN peacekeepers and the member states that deployed them, to the cause of peace in Cyprus, outside Ledra Palace in Nicosia. According to the UN official, UNFICYP's efforts throughout the last 60 years on the island in maintaining a situation on the ground conducive for a political settlement is attributable first and foremost to the unwavering dedication and commitment of our peacekeepers. He added that the monument is a tribute to the 150,000 men and women peacekeepers, hailing from 43 troop and police contributing countries who have served over the last 60 years, while also honouring the 187 peacekeepers from 11 countries who lost their lives while serving on the island. He also expressed this satisfaction for the presence at the event of representatives of the 9 Troop and Police-contributing countries who were deployed in 1964, and most of the other 43 contributing countries, including the most recent one, Mongolia, who have contributed our current UNFICYP Force Commander, adding that the broadening over the years of pool of contributing countries highlights the commitment of the international community to UN peacekeeping, and to achieving peace in Cyprus. Finally, he expressed his appreciation to the government of Australia 'for its generous contribution that made the monument possible', noting that Australia has contributed over 600 police and military personnel to UNFICYP across the span of more than 50 years. 'I hope that this monument, and this location, will serve as a constant reminder of the sacrifices and commitment made by peacekeepers for peace on this island, and provide a peaceful spot for reflection', he concluded. On behalf of Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Former UNFICYP Force Commander, Major General Cheryl Pearce, said in her address that UNFICYP continues to deliver on its core mandate for the de-escalation of tensions along the ceasefire line, while continuing to building conditions conducive for peace and creating space for a political solution for the resolution of the Cyprus issue. She added that the 60-year milestone is a reminder of how long the people of Cyprus have been waiting for a resolution, as well as a reminder of the sacrifices of the approximately 150,000 personnel who have served with the mission. The Australian High Commissioner to Cyprus Fiona McKergow said on her part that the anniversary provides an opportunity to honour the sacrifice of the peacekeepers and the continued hard work for a peaceful settlement. The peacekeeping mission in Cyprus holds a special and enduring place in the heart of many Australians, she added and highlighted Australia's longstanding support to peace on the island. Subsequently, representatives of the troop - and police-contributing countries laid wreaths at the monument, honouring the contributions and sacrifice of UN peacekeepers serving in Cyprus. 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