Day: March 25, 2024

Cyprus FM Constantinos Kombos met on Monday with his counterpart Murat Nurtleu in Astana, Kazakhstan, where he is paying an official visit. Kombos said in a post on platform X that they discussed bilateral ties, regional and international developments and the Cyprus issue. "A pleasure to begin my official visit to Astana today with substantive and in-depth discussions with Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu," he noted. He said that they had the opportunity to assess the level and depth of Cyprus-Kazakstan bilateral relations, as well as its immense potential. "I briefed my counterpart on the Cyprus problem, and exhanged views on EU-Kazakhstan relations as well as regional and international developments," he noted. 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. A pleasure to begin my offic ial visit to #Astana today with substantive and in-depth discussions with Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu. We had the opportunity to assess the level and depth of ????-???? bilateral relations, as well as its immense potential. I briefed my counterpart I briefed my counterpart on the Cyprus problem,and exhanged views on - relations as well as regional and international developments. Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cypriot rhythmic gymnast Vera Tukolukova won a bronze medal at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Athens. A press release issued by the Cyprus Gymnastics Federation said that this is the first time that a Cypriot gymnast wins a medal in a World Cup final. Tukolukova competed in the ribbon finals. She made it to the finals as she ranked sixth in the individual medley, along with world-class, high-level athletes, the statement said. The Federation expresses its congratulations for Vera's victory, noting that they are very proud for her performance and incredible results, that secured her a place in Paris Olympics. Source: Cyprus News Agency

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has some thoughts that could pave the way for the resumption of Cyprus talks, our response to them was positive and we expect to see the response of the Turkish side, Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday. In statements to the press, following a church mass in Nicosia for the Greek Independence Day, the President said that he had a very good meeting with the UN Secretary - General in Brussels recently and that the next period will give us indications as to whether we are close to the goal of the resumption of the peace talks. He said that the Secretary - General has "some thoughts and ideas which we support and we expect to see the response of the Turkish side to these thoughts," pointing out that he believes these thoughts can pave the way for the resumption of the negotiations. The President noted that this will at the same time affect other developments in relation to Euro-Turkish issues in particular. He said that our approach to this specifi c issue is known and it issomething he discussed with the German Chancellor and the French President. Cyprus President went on to say that "we believe that Turkey's relations with the EU, the full range of Euro-Turkish relations, taking into account Turkey's desire to strengthen these relations, could lead , through a gradual approach, in positive developments." He underlined that determination and patience are needed and "we are working in this direction." Replying to a question whether Antonio Guterres will do something personally, or if he will call the two leaders in Cyprus to a meeting, the President said that the Secretary-General has already taken actions himself personally and his personal envoy, but noted that he does not wish to share his ideas publicly. He expressed his hope that there will be a result through the UNSG's effort. He noted that he considers it important that there is a personal interest from the Secretary-General himself and that the Cyprus issue was also discussed during Guterre s' meetings with the head of the European Council. The President also went on to say that his response was positive when he was presented with these ideas and thoughts, by the General-Secretary, noting that he supports his ideas and hopes that the Turkish side will respond positively as well. In relation to the "Amalthea" initiative aiming at providing aid to civilians in Gaza via a maritime corridor from Cyprus, he said that the effort and consultations on this continue and that there is great interest from the EU and from many countries. The President also referred to the presence of 36 countries at a recent meeting of senior officials on this issue in Larnaca, stressing that "we continue to implement and strengthen this initiative." Replying to another question about some remarks by the Archbishop of Cyprus Georgios in his speech earlier, "he emphasized that our goal and all our actions are in coordination with the Greek government". He said that there is complete cooperation that led to the appointme nt, by the the UN Secretary General, of his Personal Envoy on Cyprus. He also noted that the less we discuss in pubic about security and defence issues, the better. He referred to the message of the Greek struggle for independence, especially for us Cypriots as this year marks 50 years of the Turkish invasion and occupation. The President noted that we have a clear goal and this goal is common, despite what is said in public statements. 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. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Columbia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue. Source: Cyprus News Agency

Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos is paying an official visit to Kazakhstan on Monday, following a working visit on Saturday to the United Arab Emirates, where he met with his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who highlighted the role of Cyprus in the Amalthea initiative for providing humanitarian aid to Gaza via a maritime corridor. A press release issued by the Foreign Ministry says that in Astana Kombos will have consultations with the Deputy Prime Minister Murat Nurtleu to cover bilateral relations, the Cyprus issue, EU- Kazakhstan relations, the regional developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and Central Asia, as well as developments in Ukraine and the Middle East. Kombos' one-day official visit to Kazakhstan is taking place at Nurtleu's invitation. The Minister of Foreign Affairs will also be received by the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the President of the Senate Maulen Ashimbayev. He is also set to meet Attorney General Berik Asylov and will visit t he Astana International Financial Centre. Posting on X Cyprus FM said that during his meeting on Saturday with his UAE counterpart, they reaffirmed the strong bond between Cyprus and the UAE He added that he expressed deep appreciation for the close their cooperation and UAE's valuable role in the implementation of the Cyprus Maritime Corridor and the Amalthea plan "We agreed to continue to work together towards providing the much needed humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza," he posted on X. In addition, the Emirati Foreign Minister, in a post on X, noted that he praised the Cypriot side's role in the Cyprus Maritime Corridor initiative to deliver aid to Gaza. He added that he also reaffirmed the strength of the friendship between the UAE and Cyprus and their strategic partnership. Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus MP Irene Charalambides, Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Special Representative of the Assembly for the Fight against Corruption Irene Charalambides is travelling to Paris on Monday to participate in the World Forum of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), on fighting corruption and promoting integrity. A press release issued by the House said that the participants will discuss, among others, the development of effective strategies to combat illegal financial flows and tax crimes, the encouragement of the private sector to develop partnerships in order to fight corruption and the exploitation of innovations in artificial intelligence to enhance lobbying accountability. Adapting the OECD anti-bribery convention to the global fight against corruption and strengthening integrity, will also be discussed. Source: Cyprus News Agency