Cyprus Disarmament and Terrorism

Non Proliferation and Disarmament Issues - The Republic of Cyprus fully recognizes that the uncontrolled spread of weapons, whether conventional or weapons of mass destruction, poses serious threat to international peace and security. As a matter of principle, it is strongly committed to the non-proliferation of all weapons of mass destruction as well as conventional weapons and dual use goods and technologies and is a party to all international legal instructions on disarmament and non-proliferation.

In addition, Cyprus is a member of the Australia Group and the Nuclear Suppliers Group since 2000, and has signed the Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missiles Proliferation in 2002 in the Hague. On 10 July 2003, Cyprus, submitted its application to become a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and on 27 August 2003, officially applied to join the Wassenaar Arrangement.

The position of Cyprus against Terrorism - The Government of the Republic of Cyprus fully recognizes the existence and the dimensions of the international problem of terrorism. The fight against international crime, particularly terrorism, through international cooperation, is included in the priorities of the foreign policy of Cyprus.

Cyprus has, to date, ratified or acceded to all twelve international conventions pertaining to international terrorism, as well as to the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism. Specifically, Cyprus is party to the four relevant Conventions, deposited with the Secretary General of the U.N., namely the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, the International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages, the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Internationally Protected Persons including Diplomatic Agents and the International Convention for the Suppression for the Financing of Terrorism. Moreover it is worth mentioning that Cyprus has also acceded, on 20 September 2002, to the Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives, while as of 30 November 2001 Cyprus became the 15th country to ratify the International Convention on the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.

The Republic of Cyprus submitted on 21 December 2001 its Report on the ‘‘Measures taken to Combat Terrorism’’ to UN Security Council Committee 1373 and on 20 June 2002 its Supplementary Report to the Counter Terrorism Committee and subsequently the Second and Third Supplementary Reports on 14 February 2003. More recently, the Republic of Cyprus has submitted, on 19 December 2003, its Report in accordance with SC Resolution 1455, whereas the Fourth Supplementary Report to the Counter Terrorism Committee was submitted on 22 January 2004.

As a result of its accession to the European Union, Cyprus fully aligns itself with all European Union Common Positions on fighting terrorism, and adopts all the necessary implementing measures to that effect.

Source: Press And Information Office, Republic Of Cyprus, 2005