Showing posts with label NATIONAL DAY FOR THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NATIONAL DAY FOR THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS. Show all posts

Monday, October 1, 2012

NATIONAL DAY FOR THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS

CYPRUS MAP CREDIT:  CIA WORLD FACTBOOK
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
National Day for the Republic of Cyprus

Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC
September 28, 2012

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Cyprus as you celebrate your National Day this October 1.

Every year, thousands of Americans travel to Cyprus to explore your natural beauty and unique cultural heritage. I am pleased that we have extended for five years our agreement to safeguard Cyprus’s archaeological and historical artifacts, helping to preserve your rich heritage for future generations.

This year also demonstrates Cypriot leadership on the world stage with the European Union Presidency. We appreciate the work Cyprus is doing to advance common EU-U.S. priorities.

Together, our two countries are promoting peace and expanding opportunity. The United States supports your efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement to reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation. We encourage all parties to make the tough compromises necessary to achieve a lasting peace.

As you celebrate this special day, the United States looks forward to strengthening the ties between our peoples as we build together a future of peace and progress.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM CIA WORLD FACTBOOK

A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic intercommunal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek Government-sponsored attempt to seize control of Cyprus was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot-occupied area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), but it is recognized only by Turkey. The election of a new Cypriot president in 2008 served as the impetus for the UN to encourage both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to reopen unification negotiations. In September 2008, the leaders of the two communities began negotiations under UN auspices aimed at reuniting the divided island. The talks are ongoing and the leaders continue to meet regularly. The entire island entered the EU on 1 May 2004, although the EU acquis - the body of common rights and obligations - applies only to the areas under the internationally recognized government, and is suspended in the areas administered by Turkish Cypriots. However, individual Turkish Cypriots able to document their eligibility for Republic of Cyprus citizenship legally enjoy the same rights accorded to other citizens of European Union states.

 

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