Cyprus, that small, beautiful, troubled island beloved of British holidaymakers, is again making news. It may, for a change, be good news. The days of division and distrust could finally be coming to an end...
You can read the rest of my article, published yesterday, on the Guardian's Comment is Free website.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/sep/04/cyprus.eu
Showing posts with label Cyprus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cyprus. Show all posts
Friday, 5 September 2008
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
MANDELSON TO GO
Following in the footsteps of Commissoner Marcus Kyprianou from Cyprus, five other European Commissioners will go on or before the end of the current mandate in June 2009. One of the casualties will be our very own Peter Mandelson. According to "European Voice", "Prime Minister Gordon Brown made it clear that he would not be inviting his Party colleague and adversary Peter Mandelson to stay on board".
The others on the move are Franco Frattini (Italy), Louis Michel (Belgium), Jan Figel (Slovakia) and the respected Swede, Margot Wallstrom who has already served her allotted two terms.
The others on the move are Franco Frattini (Italy), Louis Michel (Belgium), Jan Figel (Slovakia) and the respected Swede, Margot Wallstrom who has already served her allotted two terms.
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
PROGRESS ON CYPRUS
Occasionally you are in the right place at the right time. I shall never forget the moment on 23 April 2003 when the Green Line in Cyprus was opened. I just happened to be there for a meeting of the European Parliament/Cyprus House of Representatives Joint Parliamentary Committee. As darkness fell, Committee members made their way through central Nicosia to the Ledra Palace crossing to join the ever-growing crowd rejoicing under the midnight sky.
Last Friday (Good Friday in the UK but not in Orthodox Cyprus) the new President of the Republic, Dimitris Christofias, and Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Turkish Cypriots in the north, met to talk about how to move the Cyprus problem forward. Facilitated by the United Nations Special Representative Michael Moller, the talks appear to have been positive. It was agreed to set up a number of working groups and technical committees - the first steps towards something more concrete.
I was again in Cyprus at an historic moment, though on holiday this time. While two leaders holding talks lacks the dramatic thrill of a crossing opening after 29 years, the end result will, I hope, be a permanent settlement. I believe there is real political will this time and that success is in the air.
Last Friday (Good Friday in the UK but not in Orthodox Cyprus) the new President of the Republic, Dimitris Christofias, and Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Turkish Cypriots in the north, met to talk about how to move the Cyprus problem forward. Facilitated by the United Nations Special Representative Michael Moller, the talks appear to have been positive. It was agreed to set up a number of working groups and technical committees - the first steps towards something more concrete.
I was again in Cyprus at an historic moment, though on holiday this time. While two leaders holding talks lacks the dramatic thrill of a crossing opening after 29 years, the end result will, I hope, be a permanent settlement. I believe there is real political will this time and that success is in the air.
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
CYPRUS APPOINTS WOMAN COMMISSIONER
4th March 2008
Congratulations to Androula Vassiliou who has been chosen to replace Markos Kyprianou as Cyprus's EU Commissioner. Now that Mr Kyprianou has left to become Cyprus's Minister of Foreign Affairs, it is very good news that President Christofas has appointed a woman as his successor. Cyprus may not have any women MEPs, but they do now have a female Commissioner.
Mrs. Vassiliou's appointment will have to be approved by EU Member States and she will also have to appear before the relevant European Parliament Committees to test her knowledge of the EU health portfolio, which she will be taking over from Mr Kyprianou. As a member of the Cypriot parliament, Mrs Vassiliou is no doubt used to such processes.
My very best wishes to Androula Vassiliou. The health brief is important and this is a great opportunity for the new Commissioner and for Cyprus.
Congratulations to Androula Vassiliou who has been chosen to replace Markos Kyprianou as Cyprus's EU Commissioner. Now that Mr Kyprianou has left to become Cyprus's Minister of Foreign Affairs, it is very good news that President Christofas has appointed a woman as his successor. Cyprus may not have any women MEPs, but they do now have a female Commissioner.
Mrs. Vassiliou's appointment will have to be approved by EU Member States and she will also have to appear before the relevant European Parliament Committees to test her knowledge of the EU health portfolio, which she will be taking over from Mr Kyprianou. As a member of the Cypriot parliament, Mrs Vassiliou is no doubt used to such processes.
My very best wishes to Androula Vassiliou. The health brief is important and this is a great opportunity for the new Commissioner and for Cyprus.
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
CYPRUS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
19th Feb 2008
So Mr Papadopoulos has been defeated in the first round of the Cyprus Presidential elections. Mr Kasoulides of the centre right DISY and the progressive Communist Mr Chrisrofias remain. The second round of the election will take place on Sunday.
Encouragingly both candidates are talking about working to find a settlement to the Cyprus problem. Indeed the reason Tassos Papadopoulos came a cropper was probably his relentless separatism and strong opposition to any resolution to the division of Cyprus. When the Cypriots in the south and the north of the island voted on the Annan Plan in 2004 it was very clear that President Papadopoulos was against not only the Annan Plan as it stood, but any form of settlement.
Hopefully things are changing. If the new President of the Cyprus Republic genuinely wants to resolve the Cyprus problem, the international community will take notice. It is not really in anyone's interest to hang on to the status quo. The EU certainly wants a solution. One of the main reasons the reconciliation efforts which led to the Annan Plan proved so successful was the support of the United States throughout out the process.
It was not a good move on the part of the south of Cyprus to throw away that good will. Fortunately the Republic of Cyprus now has an opportunity to regain its standing. May whoever wins gain the elusive prize.
So Mr Papadopoulos has been defeated in the first round of the Cyprus Presidential elections. Mr Kasoulides of the centre right DISY and the progressive Communist Mr Chrisrofias remain. The second round of the election will take place on Sunday.
Encouragingly both candidates are talking about working to find a settlement to the Cyprus problem. Indeed the reason Tassos Papadopoulos came a cropper was probably his relentless separatism and strong opposition to any resolution to the division of Cyprus. When the Cypriots in the south and the north of the island voted on the Annan Plan in 2004 it was very clear that President Papadopoulos was against not only the Annan Plan as it stood, but any form of settlement.
Hopefully things are changing. If the new President of the Cyprus Republic genuinely wants to resolve the Cyprus problem, the international community will take notice. It is not really in anyone's interest to hang on to the status quo. The EU certainly wants a solution. One of the main reasons the reconciliation efforts which led to the Annan Plan proved so successful was the support of the United States throughout out the process.
It was not a good move on the part of the south of Cyprus to throw away that good will. Fortunately the Republic of Cyprus now has an opportunity to regain its standing. May whoever wins gain the elusive prize.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
