Permanent Representative to the UN, New York Minas Hadjimichael of Cyprus
Cyprus Permanent Representative to the UN Minas Hadjimichael has said that 2008 was a year of renewed hope for Cyprus, as direct negotiations between President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat began.
To achieve this, the other side has to show the same willingness and determination, Hadjimichael said in his address on the Latest Development and new perspectives towards a solution to the Cyprus problem at a charity event organised by the Hellenic American Bankers, in New York.
Referring to Barack Obamas election to the US Presidency, Hadjimichael expressed the wish that the US will show an improved policy as regards the Cyprus question, based on the support of principles, international law and legality and not on the basis of political expediencies.
Cyprus is fully committed to the comprehensive protection of human rights and the establishment of unconditional accountability for all human rights abuses, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the UN Ambassador Minas Hadjimichael said during his statement, last Wednesday, to the Third Committee at the 63rd Session of the General Assembly on âHuman rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Cyprus Permanent Representative to the UN, Minas Hadjimichael described Resolution 1847 as balanced, noting it reconfirmed in a crystal clear and unequivocal manner that any solution must be based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality.
the 63rd Session of the General Assembly.
The Cypriot people have been denied the basic right to peaceful existence as a result of the use of military force against Cyprus in 1974, by Turkey, contrary to all rules of international legal order, and the subsequent occupation of a substantial part of its territory, Hadjimichael said in his address to the Third Committee at the 63rd Session of the General Assembly.
Elaborating on the repercussions of Turkey’s invasion of 1974, Hadjimichael said that thousands of people - predominantly Greek Cypriots, but also Maronites - remained in the area occupied by Turkey in the hope that, following the ceasefire, they would be able to carry on with their normal way of life.
Cyprus Permanent Representative to the UN Minas Hadjimichael has protested to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon new violations of the international air traffic regulations and of Cyprus national airspace by the Turkish Air Force.