Chinese, Cypriot Foreign Ministers Hold Talks

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, November 27, 2001

Chinese, Cypriot Foreign Ministers Hold Talks

China hopes to make the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and Cyprus an opportunity to further the friendly cooperative relations between the two countries, said Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan Monday.

Tang made the remarks during his talks with the Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides of the Republic of Cyprus here in Beijing.

Tang welcomed Kasoulides's visit to China for the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Tang said that both China and Cyprus had ancient cultures as well as a traditional friendship. The two countries have been developing their friendly relations and cooperation in political, economic, scientific, cultural and other fields, and have expanded the non-governmental exchanges as well.

China hoped to use the 30th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties as an opportunity, through joint efforts, to further promote Sino-Cypriot friendly cooperative relations to a new stage based on the principle of mutual respect, equality and reciprocity, and friendly cooperation, Tang noted.

Tang expressed his appreciation to the Cypriot government for its support of China on the issues of human rights, Taiwan, and China's entry into the World Trade Organization.

On the issue of anti-terrorism, Tang said the Chinese government has always opposed and condemned all terrorism, and is against using terrorism as a way to attain political purposes and is against the unreasonable extension of anti-terrorism.

Tang said, China always supports and actively cooperates with the international community in the fight against terrorism.

He said that the Chinese government believes that combating terrorism should be conducted in line with the United Nations Charter and other international laws, and the UN Security Council should play an active role in rooting out terrorism.

The foreign minister said that China is ready to work with the international community to eradicate terrorism.

On the Cypriot issue, Tang said, China hopes that both the Greek and Turkish Cypriots cooperate with the UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan to find a just and reasonable way to resolve the Cypriot issue on the basis of relevant UN resolutions.

Kasoulides said that Cyprus and China have enjoyed long-term friendship, having similar foreign policies and sharing view on regional and international issues.

This lays the foundation for the development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, he added.

He congratulated China on its entry into the World Trade Organization, and reaffirmed its government's One-China stance.

He said that Cyprus and China also share views on anti-terrorism and both are opposed to and condemn all forms of terrorism, stressing that anti-terrorism should avoid harming innocent civilians.

Kasoulides briefed Tang on the current situation in the Cypriot issue, emphasizing the need to settle the issue on the basis of relevant UN resolutions.

Kasoulides arrived here Sunday for an official visit to China.

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