Vietnam urges Cypriots to build federation

Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam calls upon Cypriots to fulfill their
leaders' commitments contained in the 21 Mar. Agreement and the two key
joint statements of 23 May and 1 July 2008.

Vietnam 's deputy representative at the United Nations' Security
Council (UNSC), ambassador Bui The Giang made the appeal while addressing
the UNSC consultative meeting on Dec. 5 on Cyprus condition.

Giang said Vietnam acknowledges with satisfaction that steady
progress has been made over the last six months by Cypriots from both sides
in fostering a climate for constructive and good faith dialogue, especially
their decision to cancel their main annual military exercises and their
Joint Statement of 1 July 2008 on the issues of single sovereignty and
citizenship.

He noted that the move aims to create a comprehensive settlement based on
a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, as set out in
the relevant Security Council resolutions.

However, the Vietnamese ambassador said, Vietnam notes with regret the
serious incident on 13 November off the coast of Cyprus which was brought to
the attention of the President of the Security Council and the
Secretary-General, the violations of the military status quo in Varosha,
Strovilia and Louroujina as well as the enduring restrictions on the
movement of UNFICYP as reflected in the Secretary-Generals report.

"The continuation of such incidents will have an adverse impact on the
efforts to move the peace process in the Mediterranean forward," Giang
said.

The ambassador also emphasised that Vietnam recognizes the role of the
Secretary-General, UNFICYP and its leadership in assisting the parties in
putting in place confidence building measures and engaging them in full
fledged negotiations with a view to reaching a comprehensive settlement to
the dispute.-Enditem