Christofias government upgrades the status of the Palestinian Diplomatic Delegation in Cyprus to that of embassy

 

 

Christofia’s government decided to upgrade the status of the
diplomatic delegation of Palestine in Cyprus from that of diplomatic
mission of Palestine to that of the embassy of the state of
Palestine. It decided also to include the Palestinian ambassador
in the Diplomatic Corps list in Cyprus.

This decision is in line with the resolution of the Cypriot Council
of Ministers in 1988 for the recognition of the state of Palestine.
The same practice has been followed by seven other EU members
(Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic
and Malta) who recognised the state of Palestine in 1988.

The announcement of the upgrading was made by the Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Ms. Erato Kozakou Markoulli
on the 9th February 2013. Palestine Foreign Affairs
Minister, Mr Rial al Malki was present in the announcement of
the resolution as part of his official visit in Cpyrus.

Ms. Markoulli expressed the support of her government in the
solution of the Palestinian conflict on the basis of a two state solution,
where Israel will coexist peacefully with a viable Palestinian
state with East Jerusalem as its capital city. Ms. Markoulli condemned
the settlment in the West Bank by the Israeli government.
She said that the construction of settlements violates the
international law and also burdens the peace process. Miss Markoulli
called for reconciliation between the various Palestinian factions
under President Abbas.

Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister thanked Cyprus for this “historic
decision” and also said that he expects other EU member
states to follow. He also thanked Cyprus for its positive vote in
the UN general assembly, for the upgrading of the status of Palestine
to that of observer state.

Mr Al Maliki stated again Palestine’s support for the reunification
of Cyprus on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions,
in the context of a UN peace process. He thanked Cyprus for the
support it gives to Palestine in the form of scholarships and educational
programs and also for the help it provides, as EU member
state, concerning the financial support of the Palestinian
people.

AKEL salutes the approval of
the resolution of the UN
General Assembly on Palestine
The Central Committee of AKEL salutes the approval of the
resolution at the UN General Assembly which upgrades the
status of the Palestinian Authority to an observer-state. This
development constitutes a significant decision which has
been supported by a majority of 138 states.

We denounce the hypocritical stance of some powers that voted
against the proposal, highlighting the untenable position that this
issue is a matter that should be agreed by the Israelis and Palestinians.
This policy of double standards, which aims to the undermine the
character of the International Law and at the same time perpetuates
the occupation as if nothing is going on, is what permits the
perpetuation of unjust problems.
We express our solidarity and support to the struggle of the Palestinian
people for liberation, peace and justice.