Cyprus will help rid Syria of chemical weapons and seek for its lacking, Cypriot high diplomat says

Cyprus will help rid Syria of chemical weapons and seek for its lacking, Cypriot high diplomat says

by Technology


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Cyprus stands prepared to assist eradicate Syria’s remaining chemical weapons stockpiles and to help a seek for individuals whose destiny stays unknown after greater than a decade of struggle, the highest Cypriot diplomat stated Saturday.

Overseas Minister Constantinos Kombos stated Cyprus’ provide is grounded by itself previous expertise each with serving to rid Syria of chemical weapons 11 years in the past and its personal ongoing, decades-old seek for lots of of people that disappeared amid combating between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriots within the Sixties and a 1974 Turkish invasion.

Cyprus in 2013 hosted the help base of a mission collectively run by the United Nations and the Group for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to take away and get rid of Syria’s chemical weapons.

“As a neighboring nation positioned simply 65 miles from Syria, Cyprus has a vested curiosity in Syria’s future. Developments there’ll straight influence Cyprus, notably when it comes to potential new migratory flows and the dangers of terrorism and extremism,” Kombos advised The Related Press in written replies to questions.

Kombos stated there are “profound considerations” amongst his counterparts throughout the area over Syria’s future safety, particularly relating to a potential resurgence of extremist teams like Islamic State in a fragmented and polarized society.

Different challenges embrace new migratory flows from the nation in addition to making certain the security and rights of girls and minorities together with Druze, Christians, Jews and Kurds, in order that the “wealthy mosaic of Syria is preserved.”

“That is notably crucial in gentle of potential social and demographic engineering disguised as “safety” preparations, which may additional destabilize the nation,” Kombos stated.

The diplomat additionally pointed to the current proliferation of narcotics manufacturing just like the stimulant Captagon that’s interconnected with smuggling networks concerned in individuals and arms trafficking.

Kombos stated ongoing assaults towards Syria’s Kurds should cease instantly, given the position that Kurdish forces have performed in combating extremist forces just like the IS group prior to now decade.

A Syrian-led course of transitioning the nation to an inclusive democracy ought to combine the Kurds’ “reliable asks” whereas safeguarding the nation’s unity and territorial integrity.

Saleh Muslim, a member of the Kurdish Presidential Council, stated in an interview that the Kurds primarily search “equality” enshrined in rights accorded to all in any democracy.

He stated a future type of governance may accord autonomy to the Kurds below some type of federal construction.

“However the necessary factor is to have democratic rights for all of the Syrians and together with the Kurdish individuals,” he stated.

Muslim warned that the Kurdish-majority metropolis of Kobani, close to Syria’s border with Turkey, is in “very large hazard” of falling into the arms of Turkish-backed forces, and accused Turkey of making an attempt to occupy it.

Kombos stated the worldwide group wants to make sure that the affect Turkey is making an attempt to exert in Syria is “not going to create a fair worse state of affairs than there already is.”

“Regardless of the future panorama in Syria, it should have a direct and far-reaching influence on the area, the European Union and the broader worldwide group,” Kombos stated.


#Cyprus #rid #Syria #chemical #weapons #search #lacking #Cypriot #high #diplomat


The Unbiased


#Cyprus #rid #Syria #chemical #weapons #search #lacking #Cypriot #high #diplomat


Menelaos Hadjicostis , 2024-12-21 15:55:00

Britain will present intel to Cyprus to assist battle Russia’s sanctions evasion

by Technology


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Britain will present intelligence to a newly shaped unit in Cyprus tasked with stopping Russia evade worldwide sanctions, in line with an settlement Tuesday following talks between visiting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Cypriot counterpart.

Starmer met with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in what was the primary go to in 53 years by a U.Okay. prime minister to the previous British colony.

An announcement later stated that Britain’s places of work coping with sanctions will share info with the Cypriot Ministry of Finance “to disrupt and intercept the stream of illicit finance by means of Europe to make sure the effectiveness of sanctions on (Vladimir) Putin’s battle machine.”

The Cyprus’ unit will probe Russia’s sanctions evasion and observe funds being moved throughout Europe, in line with the assertion.

The settlement comes a day after Cyprus and the US introduced they’re doubling down on efforts to fight illicit finance with further coaching of Cypriot regulation enforcement authorities to determine, examine and prosecute monetary crimes.

Individually, the UK can even assist practice Cypriot regulation enforcement groups subsequent 12 months on monetary crimes, particularly customs gives on investigating and prosecuting instances of illicit tobacco smuggling to Britain.

Cyprus has frozen $1.9 billion in Russian belongings since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Cypriot authorities has additionally joined a U.Okay.-led initiative to intercept ships utilized in circumventing sanctions.

Britain maintains two navy bases in Cyprus that embody a key digital surveillance facility for the Center East.


#Britain #present #intel #Cyprus #battle #Russias #sanctions #evasion


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#Britain #present #intel #Cyprus #battle #Russias #sanctions #evasion


Through AP information wire , 2024-12-10 17:39:00

Boosting Cyprus’ protection is vital so near the war-wracked Mideast, protection minister says

by Technology


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Bolstering Cyprus ‘ protection capability is important for the east Mediterranean island nation so near the war-wrecked Center East, the nation’s protection minister stated Tuesday.

The precedence for Cyprus is to acquire higher protection programs, stated Protection Minister Vasilis Palmas. The minister, who spoke to The Related Press within the nation’s capital of Nicosia, outlined some protection plans although he wouldn’t go into specifics about arms procurement packages.

“The scenario within the japanese Mediterranean, with its steady shifting geostrategic balances and competing pursuits makes it much more urgent for the island to bolster its defensive capabilities,” Palmas stated.

In the meantime, a senior authorities official confirmed to the AP that Cyprus lately obtained part of the Israeli-made Barak MX built-in air protection system.

The official, who spoke on situation of anonymity to debate the matter, stated he expects the supply of the remainder of the system quickly, with the entire system changing into totally operational in mid-2025.

The Israeli ground-based system is able to concurrently intercepting missiles, drones and plane from so far as 93 miles (150 kilometers) away, and represents a big improve to Cyprus’ protection protect, which had till lately solely consisted of Soviet-era weapons, such because the BUK M1-2 missile system.

Cyprus lately pivoted away from Russian weapons programs as a part of a broader, pro-Western technique to carry the small nation’s armed forces as much as EU and NATO requirements. The Cypriot president, Nikos Christodoulides, stated earlier this month that Cyprus may apply to hitch NATO with U.S. assist, as soon as situations enable for it.

Palmas stated nearer diplomatic and navy ties with the US have enabled Cyprus to leverage its geographic location because the closest European Union member to the Mideast to develop its diplomatic outreach in regional peace efforts and assist in offering humanitarian help.

Earlier this yr, some 20,000 tons of humanitarian assist was shipped on to Gaza through a maritime hall from Cyprus. That effort halted as preventing intensified however efforts are underway to reestablish the availability route, this time through the Israeli port of Ashdod.

The nearer ties with the U.S. lately culminated within the lifting of a decades-old arms embargo Washington imposed on ethnically divided Cyprus to stop an arms race.

Cyprus’ cut up got here in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup on the island aiming at uniting it with Greece. Turkey continues to keep up greater than 35,000 troops within the island’s breakaway, Turkish Cypriot north.

Following the lifting of the U.S. arms embargo, Cyprus’ elite underwater demolition groups have reportedly been lately equipped with fashionable, U.S.-made M5 carbines — rifles extra suited to particular warfare groups.

Palmas additionally informed the AP that work is underway to enlarge Cyprus’ air base within the island’s southwest, together with an extended runway.

A serious improve can be within the pipeline, he stated, for the Mari naval base on the southern coast, additionally considerably increasing its services to accommodate warships and submarines of allied and pleasant nations.


#Boosting #Cyprus #protection #key #shut #warwracked #Mideast #protection #minister


The Unbiased


#Boosting #Cyprus #protection #key #shut #warwracked #Mideast #protection #minister


Menelaos Hadjicostis , 2024-12-10 16:52:00

01JA63AW47P2Q1M4CPPJ0XRVGW.jpg

Starmer’s ‘historic’ journey to Cyprus overshadowed by fears for UK bases and Turkish Cypriot snub

by Technology

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Keir Starmer is making a historic journey to Cyprus subsequent week at a time when issues are being raised over the way forward for the 2 essential UK bases on the Mediterranean island within the wake of the deal handy over Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

The journey by Sir Keir on his method again from a short tour of Arab Gulf states would be the first time a UK prime minister has visited for a one-to-one bilateral assembly with the president of Cyprus for 53 years since Ted Heath visited the island in 1971.

Since then solely John Main visited in his function as prime minister for a gathering of Commonwealth heads of presidency in 1993.

Starmer’s previous meeting with the Republic of Cyprus’ president Nikos Christodoulides

Starmer’s earlier assembly with the Republic of Cyprus’ president Nikos Christodoulides (Dan Kitwood/PA Wire)

The journey is a part of the post-Brexit reset to assist construct relations with EU leaders. Nevertheless, Sir Keir arrives amid rising calls for in Cyprus for the UK handy again its two essential bases on the island.

The calls for have been fuelled by his controversial deal handy the Chagos Islands to Mauritius involving the standing of the Diego Garcia base. This has come at a time when protests over the UK bases in Cyprus have began up once more.

Whereas Downing Avenue sources have indicated that the way forward for the bases won’t be up for dialogue, the Tories are in search of public reassurances.

Tory shadow armed forces minister Mark Francois mentioned: “Given the continuing instability within the Center East, the strategic significance of our sovereign base services in Cyprus is plainly apparent. Having already tried to give up one important British navy set up – within the Chagos Islands – let’s hope our prime minister is just not about to begin the give up of these in Cyprus now too.”

Shadow international secretary Priti Patel added: “The threats to Britain are solely rising and evolving. Having a powerful worldwide presence is changing into more and more necessary, so we welcome strengthening partnerships with worldwide allies.

“Nevertheless, the prime minister should be clear that he has no intention handy over one other strategically necessary navy base. This should not be one other fiasco just like the worldwide embarrassment of the Chagos deal.”

TRNC president Ersin Tatar with the president of the Republic of Cyprus

TRNC president Ersin Tatar with the president of the Republic of Cyprus (Copyright 2023 The Related Press. All rights reserved)

The significance of the UK bases and their listening posts for the Center East has been underlined within the final week over the newest outbreak of civil warfare in Syria. The federal government has beforehand mentioned that the bases in Cyprus aren’t affected by the Chagos deal and are safe.

Added to that, The Impartial has learnt that the president of the breakaway and unrecognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has been left shocked after claiming Sir Keir had not knowledgeable him of his go to.

The workplace of the TRNC’s president Ersin Tatar is requesting a gathering.

In an announcement launched solely to The Impartial, the workplace mentioned: “As one of many guarantor powers, the UK has an obligation to deal with the 2 sides on an equal footing, however the truth that the go to is being staged at a time when the UN Secretary-Basic will probably be internet hosting a broader casual assembly on the Cyprus subject, to which the UK can even be represented.

“There are two sides in Cyprus and any settlement to be reached requires dialogue, cooperation and understanding between the perimeters. Merely ignoring the existence of Turkish Cypriot folks and talking to just one aspect of the conflicting events will solely undermine efforts to construct belief and methods to paving the way in which for significant cooperation throughout completely different areas between the perimeters.

“We anticipate for frequent sense and motive to prevail, and for the UK prime minister to simply accept assembly with President Ersin Tatar throughout his go to to the Island.”

The go to is happening within the 12 months the place either side of the island have marked the partition following the outbreak of civil warfare and intervention by Turkey in 1974. Turkey has remained in bases there since in what the TRNC regards as a protecting pressure and the Republic of Cyprus and United Nations describe as unlawful occupation.

Tory shadow armed forces minister Mark Francois says Sir Keir mustn’t surrender bases in Cyprus (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Tory shadow armed forces minister Mark Francois says Sir Keir mustn’t give up bases in Cyprus (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA Archive)

This 12 months Labour’s former international secretary Jack Straw, who was a part of the Annan Plan to reunite the island, which failed in 2004 when Cyprus vetoed it, added his assist for a two-state resolution to recognise each halves of the island.

The prime minister arrives on Monday night time and can meet President Nikos Christodoulides within the capital Nicosia on Tuesday, earlier than travelling to satisfy British troops deployed over Christmas.

Downing Avenue mentioned that the prime minister and president are anticipated to debate the way to deepen cooperation on shared safety challenges within the area, together with Russian illicit finance and tackling severe organised crime.

Cyprus’ deputy excessive commissioner to the UK Spyros Miltiades mentioned: “This can be a historic go to by a British PM to the Republic of Cyprus. The 2 principals will talk about the strengthened bilateral UK – Cyprus ties, together with defence and safety, commerce, training, investments, in addition to the function of Cyprus within the area. They can even talk about the Cyprus subject and the method to restart negotiations.”

The journey follows follows visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.

Sir Keir will maintain a bilateral within the UAE with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday morning, earlier than flying to Saudi Arabia to satisfy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud later that day.

The prime minister is ready to pursue nearer ties with United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, a number of the UK’s most important modern-day companions, to extend funding, deepen defence and safety ties, and drive progress and new alternatives to ship change that’s felt by working folks.

Forward of the journey he mentioned: “Driving long run progress at dwelling requires us to strengthen partnerships overseas. That’s the reason I’m travelling to the Gulf this week, to construct a community of companions for the UK that’s centered on driving prime quality progress, boosting alternatives, and delivering for the folks at dwelling.

“There may be enormous untapped potential on this area, which is why, whereas right here, I will probably be making the case to speed up progress on the Gulf Cooperation Council Free Commerce Settlement, deepen our analysis and growth collaboration and accomplice on initiatives of the long run, whether or not that be in Synthetic Intelligence or in defence and safety programmes.

“By doing so, hardworking British folks will reap the rewards for technology to come back.”


#Starmers #historic #journey #Cyprus #overshadowed #fears #bases #Turkish #Cypriot #snub


The Impartial


#Starmers #historic #journey #Cyprus #overshadowed #fears #bases #Turkish #Cypriot #snub


David Maddox , 2024-12-07 22:30:00