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Nicosia:
Cyprus said yesterday it has upgraded its relations with the
Palestinians to full diplomatic mission status, one of just eight
European Union countries to do so.
The decision was announced by Foreign Minister Erato
Kozakou-Marcoullis during an official visit by her Palestinian
counterpart Riyad Al-Malki.
"I informed my Palestinian counterpart
of the decision of the government to upgrade the status of the
Palestinian diplomatic representation in Cyprus from that of a
Diplomatic Mission to that of an Embassy of the State of
Palestine," Marcoullis told reporters.
She said this "important
decision" was in line with the recognition of the Palestinian
State in 1988 by Cyprus, and follows seven other EU members that
have recognized a Palestinian State — Bulgaria, the Czech
Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. A Cyprus
Representation Office opened in Ramallah in the West Bank in 2009.
Malki said the decision sent a "very important message," adding:
"We hope this courageous step taken by Cyprus will be taken by
others in the European Union."
Palestinian Ambassador to Nicosia Walid Al-Hassan told AFP: "Now we have diplomatic representation
in Cyprus like any other country in the world. This applies to our
legal situation and the immunity which accompanies diplomatic
status."
On Nov. 29, Cyprus also voted in favor of the successful
Palestinian bid for upgraded UN General Assembly status.
"All
official correspondence will now be done in the name of the State
of Palestine. Cyprus is the first European state to upgrade
Palestinian status since the UN vote," Hassan said.
Marcoullis said Cyprus expressed "full support" for resolving
concerns of Palestinian aspirations for statehood and sovereignty
and those of Israel for security, through a comprehensive
negotiated peace based on a two-state solution.
Nicosia backs an
enhanced EU role in efforts for renewed and substantial peace
efforts in 2013.
Cyprus has expressed "deep dismay
and strong opposition" at controversial Israeli settlement plans
for an area near annexed Arab east Jerusalem known as E1.
"The E1 plan, if implemented, would seriously undermine the
prospects of a negotiated resolution of the conflict," Marcoullis
said.
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