The Daily Star, AFP, February 08, 2013
NICOSIA:
Cyprus said on Friday it has upgraded its relations with the Palestinians to
full diplomatic mission status, one of just eight European Union countries to
do so.
The
decision was announced by Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis during an
official visit by her Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Malki.
"I
informed my Palestinian counterpart of the decision of the government to
upgrade the status of the Palestinian diplomatic representation in Cyprus from
that of a Diplomatic Mission to that of an Embassy of the State of
Palestine," Marcoullis told reporters.
She said
this "important decision" was in line with the recognition of the
Palestinian State in 1988 by Cyprus, and follows seven other EU members that
have recognised a Palestinian State -- Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary,
Malta, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.
A Cyprus
Representation Office opened in Ramallah in the West Bank in 2009.
Malki said
the decision sent a "very important message," adding: "We hope
this courageous step taken by Cyprus will be taken by others in the European
Union."
Palestinian
Ambassador to Nicosia Walid Al-Hassan told AFP: "Now we have diplomatic
representation in Cyprus like any other country in the world. This applies to
our legal situation and the immunity which accompanies diplomatic status."
On November
29, Cyprus also voted in favour of the successful Palestinian bid for upgraded
UN General Assembly status.
"All
official correspondence will now be done in the name of the State of Palestine.
Cyprus is the first European state to upgrade Palestinian status since the UN
vote," Hassan said.
Marcoullis
said Cyprus expressed "full support" for resolving concerns of
Palestinian aspirations for statehood and sovereignty and those of Israel for
security, through a comprehensive negotiated peace based on a two-state
solution.
Nicosia
backs an enhanced EU role in efforts for renewed and substantial peace efforts
in 2013.
Cyprus has
expressed "deep dismay and strong opposition" at controversial
Israeli settlement plans for an area near annexed Arab east Jerusalem known as
E1.
"The
E1 plan, if implemented, would seriously undermine the prospects of a
negotiated resolution of the conflict," Marcoullis said.
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