Cyprus inaugurates 'Embassy of the State of Palestine'

[Jefferson23]

During visit of PA Foreign Minister Riad Malki, Cyprus upgrades status of Palestinian diplomatic representation in Nicosia; PA hails "historic decision," urges other EU members to follow suit.

Cyprus on Friday officially upgraded the status of the Palestinian diplomatic representation in Nicosia from "diplomatic mission" to "Embassy of the State of Palestine," the Famagusta Gazette reported.

"This important decision is in line with the recognition of the Palestinian State in 1988 by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus," said Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou Markoullis, who is currently hosting a Palestinian delegation in Nicosia. The move also "follows the relevant practice of seven other EU member states that have recognized the Palestinian State also in 1988, namely, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Malta."

Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riad Malki, who leads the PA delegation, hailed the "historic decision" and urged other countries to follow Cyprus' example. During their meetings, Malki and Markoullis discussed a number of issues relevant to the region, and emphasized the Middle East peace process.

remainder: http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=302627

[oberliner]

1. Cyprus’ occupation an anomaly that cannot continue, Minister says

Cyprus’ division as a result of Turkey’s military occupation is an anomaly that cannot continue, Defence Minister Demetris Eliades said, after meeting his Greek counterpart Panos Panagiotopoulos in Athens.

Eliades, who is on an official visit to the Greek capital, added that there is no future for Turkey’s European prospects, as long as Ankara occupies the northern part of the Republic of Cyprus.

During their meeting, the two Ministers discussed defence and military cooperation matters between Cyprus and Greece and issues of mutual interest concerning the SE Mediterranean.

Eliades also briefed his counterpart on Cyprus’ options concerning its hydrocarbon activities in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

Panagiotopoulos said in his statements that the Cyprus problem is a problem of invasion and occupation by Turkish troops and added that human rights are brutally violated in this part of the island. He noted that the “line of shame” dividing the island is a matter of concern for the EU and the whole modern world.

http://famagusta-gazette.com/cyprus-occupation-an-anomaly-that-cannot-continue-minister-says-p17986-69.htm

[Jefferson23]

2. The talk backs can be interesting, on occassion, I think. From JPost OP:

Hahaha did you even read my post. You're one of the idiots who defends cyprus just because you hate Turkey and now even Cyprus is slapping you in the face. This is because Cyprus knows that the Palestinians are the under-dogs and no amount of bribery from your government will change their minds.

[oberliner]

3. "Turkey violates international law and human rights continuing the illegal occupation..."

Friday, 08 February, 2013

Deputy Government Spokesman Christos Christofides has said that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s and his country’s provocative attitude and bluster towards Cyprus will not bend our determination to liberate and reunify our country and our people.

...

He added that “Turkey violates international law and human rights continuing the illegal occupation of the territories of the Independent Republic of Cyprus”, noting that Turkey’s effort to upgrade the status of the pseudo-state in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus is totally illegal and unacceptable.

"The provocative attitude and bluster of Erdogan and Turkey will not bend our determination for the liberation and reunification of our country and our people by ending the Turkish occupation, nor will they prevent us from upgrading and strengthening our state, as we have recently done with the successful exercise of the Presidency of the EU and the discovery of hydrocarbons within Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone, which is the biggest political, economic and social prospect for the country over the last 50 years”, he concluded.

http://famagusta-gazette.com/erdogans-statement-on-cyprus-at-odds-with-international-community-governm-p18021-69.htm

[Jefferson23]

4. Yea, this thread is all about Turkey, not the Palestinians and Israeli policy. okey dokey.

lol

[oberliner]

5. I thought it was about Cyprus

A country people may not know is partially under long-standing occupation itself.

Makes your OP all the more interesting.

[Jefferson23]

6. I think most people know what the meaning of the OP is about and

then there are your posts.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

7. The OP was pretty clear. Cyprus inaugurates 'Embassy of the State of Palestine'

It is a clear sign that cracks are forming all over with regard to Israeli bellicosity, and it is driving its neighbors, and the world, to see it as a belligerent force which can only be met with diplomatic pressure: in this instance recognition of the state of Palestine.

[Scurrilous]

8. K & R

[Violet_Crumble]

9. Good. I hope more and more countries do this n/t

[oberliner]

10. Occupied ones especially

The irony is staggering.

[Jefferson23]

11. J’lem expresses disappointment to Cyprus over PA upgrade

By HERB KEINON
LAST UPDATED: 02/11/2013 20:25
Israel expressed its disappointment Monday to Cyprus for upgrading the Palestinian mission in Nicosia to that of an embassy last week, saying this type of move gives the Palestinians the feeling they can stay away from negotiations and still reap benefits.

The ministry’s deputy director general for Europe Rafi Schutz told Cypriot ambassador Dimitris Hatziargyrou that Israel was surprised that Cyprus had not consulted with Israel before going through with this move.

The Cypriot ambassador replied that Cyprus merely wanted to “step into line” with the other EU countries who recognized a Palestinian state in 1988 and have since upgraded the mission to that of embassy: Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Malta.

http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=302915

[azurnoir]

12. Kick and good for Cyprus

and apparently Israeli energy companies didn't pay proper attention to the talkbacks here and other places because they're still investing in Cypriot gas development