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23-02-2021 18:59 |
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The Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, announced today the decision of the
Republic of Cyprus to bid for the first time in its history for membership of
the UN Human Rights Council, for the period 2025-27. The announcement was
made during the Minister’s address at the 46th Session of the Human Rights
Council, which takes place in Geneva. In his speech, Minister Christodoulides underlined, inter alia, that protection of human rights has always been a foreign policy priority for Cyprus. In this context, he stressed the commitment of Cyprus to work with all other UN Member States for the protection and promotion of human rights. Furthermore, the Minister
stressed that Cyprus, being a firm believer in the value of multilateralism
and international cooperation, will have a substantial contribution to make
as a member of the Council, in achieving the common goal which is none other
than the enhancement of human rights for all. Cyprus is committed to working
through a specific plan in this direction, Mr Christodoulides noted, and in a
wide range of areas including, among others, gender equality, the fight
against trafficking in human beings, the rights of children and youths, the
protection of cultural rights and the impact of climate change on human
rights. In his address to the Council,
the Minister also referred to the annual report of the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights on the question of human rights in Cyprus, and,
making use of the occasion, also briefed the Council on the latest
developments in relation to the Cyprus problem and the forthcoming informal
conference on Cyprus to be convened by the UN Secretary-General with the aim
of resuming negotiations for a comprehensive and lasting solution in
accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions on the basis of a
bi-communal and bi-zonal federation. For the full text of the
Minister's address press here. For the video of the Minister’s
address follow the link: https://youtu.be/tvm71sJXIqQ in English (EK) |
