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French official highlights Cyprus' strategic position
FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE
• Fri, Apr 13, 2012

President of the French National Defense School, Olivier Darrason, has stressed Cyprus' strategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean, noting that this should be outlined during the Cypriot presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2012.

In a meeting with the members of the House Defense Committee, the French official expressed France's and the EU's solidarity with Cyprus especially in the light of the assumption of the Cypriot EU presidency, describing it as a great challenge and opportunity, which comes along every 13 years.

He stressed Cyprus' strategic position especially after the developments in the Arab world and the so-called Arab Spring.

Cyprus' strategic position, he said, must be outlined during its EU presidency, so that its EU partners realise that Cyprus is situated in a very important European area in the Mediterranean.

He also talked about the conference on maritime safety that will take place in September in France, in the framework of Cyprus' EU presidency. The conference, to be organised by the Cypriot Ministry of Defense, will discuss sea piracy, he said.

Referring to the findings of hydrocarbon reserves in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone, he said that it would be to the benefit of the EU to assist Cyprus in this field.

«We cannot manage the lack of energy sources and thus when we have energy sources, we should also have ways to exploit them based on international law'' Darrason said speaking through an interpreter.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Darrason said that for the first time he actually realised the pain caused by the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus’ northern part.

In his statements, Chairman of the Committee, Giorgos Varnava said that ''we ask of powerful countries like France that they stand by Cyprus and its just cause for freedom''

He stressed that Turkey, a country aspiring to join the EU, occupies 40% of Cyprus' territory, which is a European territory as well, noting that Turkey has illegally brought to Cyprus around 200.000 Turkish settlers in an attempt to change Cyprus' demographic structure.

Concluding, he assured that Cyprus would make every effort to be successful during its six monthly rotating presidency of the EU Council.

The Republic of Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, will assume the six monthly presidency of the Council of the EU in July.

— Copyright © Famagusta Gazette 2012
http://famagusta-gazette.com/french-off ... 073-69.htm

[kimon07]

French official highlights Cyprus' strategic position

Referring to the findings of hydrocarbon reserves in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone, he said that it would be to the benefit of the EU to assist Cyprus in this field.

«We cannot manage the lack of energy sources and thus when we have energy sources, we should also have ways to exploit them based on international law'' Darrason said speaking through an interpreter.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Darrason said that for the first time he actually realised the pain caused by the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus’ northern part.


— Copyright © Famagusta Gazette 2012
http://famagusta-gazette.com/french-off ... 073-69.htm

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