Australian PM: Solution in Cyprus must be based on UNSC resolutions

Story Supplied by Cyprus News Agency 25/05/2011

Australian PM: Solution in Cyprus must be based on UNSC resolutions

Nicosia, May 25 (CNA) — Australia recognises the Republic of Cyprus as the

only legitimate authority on the island and commends Cypriot President

Demetris Christofias’s efforts in reaching a comprehensive solution of the

Cyprus problem.

In a joint communique issued after a meeting held in Canberra between

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Cypriot President Demetris

Christofias, who is paying an official visit to Australia, it is stressed

that they expressed their support for a just and lasting settlement in

Cyprus in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council

resolutions.

According to an official press release, in the joint communique it is stated

that Prime Minister Julia Gillard welcomed President Demetris Christofias to

Australia on his first visit to Australia since his election in February

2008.

The two leaders agreed the bedrock of relations between Australia and Cyprus

is shared values and close people to people links.

Prime Minister Gillard acknowledged the important contribution the vibrant

Cypriot community has made to the diversity of Australian life.

It is noted that Cypriot-born migrants and their families in Australia

number over 80,000, the second largest Cypriot community outside Cyprus.

The leaders went on to discuss progress on the Cyprus issue and expressed

their support for a just and lasting settlement, in accordance with the

relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, which reunifies Cyprus

in a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.

”This settlement must be based on a single sovereignty, a single

international personality and a single citizenship”, it is stressed.

Moreover, Prime Minister Gillard reaffirmed Australian support for the

sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.

”Australia recognises the Republic of Cyprus as the only legitimate

authority on the island. Welcoming progress so far, the Prime Minister

commended President Christofias’s efforts and underlined the importance of

achieving a comprehensive solution” the joint communique says.

President Christofias recorded his appreciation for Australia’s long

standing and active interest in efforts to facilitate a peaceful settlement

to the Cyprus issue and for its involvement in the United Nations

Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

It is noted that Australian Federal Police officers have operated in Cyprus

as part of this force continuously since 1964, while this year marks the

arrival of the 100th Australian Police contingent at UNFICYP.

Prime Minister Gillard said Australia’s commitment to the people of Cyprus

remained undiminished.

In the joint communique it is said that Australia has maintained a Special

Representative for Cyprus since 1998 who follows developments in Cyprus

closely and works to encourage support within the Australian Cypriot

community for a settlement to the problem.

The Australian Government supports community-focused initiatives such as the

Cyprus Academic Dialogue.

The President and Prime Minister agreed to continue to facilitate and

encourage reciprocal visits and to explore further cooperation in areas of

mutual interest.

They also noted strong cultural and educational links between Australia and

Cyprus and said that cooperation was particularly strong in the area of

antiquities and archaeology, with Australian archaeologists working on the

island of Cyprus since the 1930s.

It is added that there are significant exchanges at the undergraduate and

postgraduate level between universities in Australia and Cyprus.

Prime Minister Gillard conveyed her appreciation for the generous

contribution by Cyprus to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Appeal and updated the

President on reconstruction efforts.

The leaders noted the challenges both countries faced with fires and

welcomed the deepening exchange between the Cypriot and Victorian fire and

emergency services. It is noted that a visit by the Cyprus Fire Department

is foreseen later this year.

President Christofias expressed his sympathy for the victims of more recent

disasters in Australia, including Cyclone Yasi, flooding in the eastern

states, and bushfires in Western Australia and it is noted that the

Government of the Republic of Cyprus has made a donation towards the

restoration of the Cyprus community building in Brisbane.

Prime Minister Gillard congratulated Cyprus on its forthcoming and inaugural

EU Presidency and outlined Australian priorities in its relations with the

EU and said that Australia attaches great importance to concluding an

Australia-EU Framework Agreement.

The President affirmed Cyprus’s support for the Agreement, which was both

timely and appropriate.

President Christofias welcomed Australia’s active participation and strong

engagement in a range of UN and other multilateral bodies.

”Australia and Cyprus both strongly support reform of the UN Security

Council and its working methods to better reflect the modern world and

ensure it is accessible to small and middle-sized countries. As nations

with significant shipping interests, Australia and Cyprus strongly support

the work of the International Maritime Organization and value our

cooperation on issues such as protection of the marine environment and

maritime security”, it is said.

The Prime Minister and President discussed the challenges each country faced

from irregular migration and people smuggling.

President Christofias detailed to Prime Minister Gillard new EU initiatives

to address this problem, while the Prime Minister updated the President on

Australia’s proposal for a Regional Cooperation Framework.

The two leaders noted people smuggling was a global problem that required a

comprehensive solution and agreed to continue to share lessons learnt in

addressing it.

As active members of the Commonwealth, the President and Prime Minister

agreed to work closely together in the lead-up to Australia’s hosting of the

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth in October.

The meeting will provide a good opportunity to discuss global issues of

mutual concern, including sustainable development, food security and climate

change.

The two leaders underscored the importance of institutional reform in

furthering the Commonwealth’s effectiveness and influence.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied

37% of its territory. Talks are currently underway between the leaders of

the two communities to reunify the island.

CNA/AAR/EC/2011

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

25/05/2011