Commonwealth reiterates support for Cyprus peace effort

Nicosia considers the text on Cyprus adopted by the Commonwealth heads of state and government as “particularly significant”, government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides said on Saturday on the sidelines of the Commonwealth summit, in Malta.

The relevant extract on Cyprus reads: “Heads express their full and enduring support for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus. They welcomed renewed efforts and the resumption of negotiations, under the auspices of the UNSG’s good offices mission, for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem based on the UN Charter, and UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus.”

They also called for the implementation of the relevant UN resolutions and reiterated their support for full respect of the human rights of all Cypriots, including their right to property, and for the accounting for all missing persons.

They also extended their “solidarity in the exercise of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in its exclusive economic zone under international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and call for the avoidance of actions and statements that threaten stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.”

The spokesman said President Nicos Anastasiades had had a series of important meetings in Valetta, including one with British PM David Cameron with whom he discussed the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and London’s wish for reform within the EU.

“The President and the British Premier talked also about BG International’s decision to invest in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, a move which strengthens bilateral relations. They also discussed the President’s recent visit to Jordan, Israel, Palestine and the forthcoming tripartite meeting between Greece, Egypt and Cyprus,” he added.

Anastasiades also discussed the latest developments in the UN-facilitated peace process with the UN Secretary General. The two will have the chance to meet again in Paris on the sidelines of the world summit on climate change.

The president also met the Australian Prime Minister and the Indian Foreign Minister.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.