<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Occupied Palestine | فلسطين]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[occupiedpalestine]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/author/hajarhajar/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Cyprus formally recognizes State of&nbsp;Palestine]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<div data-shortcode="caption" id="attachment_124937" style="width: 598px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-124937" data-attachment-id="124937" data-permalink="https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/cyprus-formally-recognizes-state-of-palestine/526532-01-081/" data-orig-file="https://occupiedpalestine.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/526532-01-081.jpg" data-orig-size="780,555" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}" data-image-title="526532-01-08[1]" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://occupiedpalestine.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/526532-01-081.jpg?w=588" data-large-file="https://occupiedpalestine.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/526532-01-081.jpg?w=588" class="size-large wp-image-124937" alt=" A Palestinian activist fixes a flag near an encampment set up to protest against Israel's intention to confiscate land on 20 January 2013 in the West Bank village of Beit Iksa. (Photo: AFP - Ahmad Gharabli)" src="https://occupiedpalestine.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/526532-01-081.jpg?w=588&#038;h=418" width="588" height="418" srcset="https://occupiedpalestine.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/526532-01-081.jpg?w=588&amp;h=418 588w, https://occupiedpalestine.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/526532-01-081.jpg?w=768&amp;h=546 768w, https://occupiedpalestine.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/526532-01-081.jpg 780w" sizes="(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px" /><p id="caption-attachment-124937" class="wp-caption-text"><br />A Palestinian activist fixes a flag near an encampment set up to protest against Israel&#8217;s intention to confiscate land on 20 January 2013 in the West Bank village of Beit Iksa. (Photo: AFP &#8211; Ahmad Gharabli)</p></div>
<p><a href="http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/cyprus-formally-recognizes-state-palestine?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AlAkhbarEnglish+%28Al+Akhbar+English%29" target="_blank"><strong>Al Akhbar English | February 8, 2013 </strong></a><br />
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<p>Cyprus said on Friday it has upgraded its relations with the Palestinians to full diplomatic mission status, one of just eight European Union countries to do so.</p>
<p>The decision was announced by Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis during an official visit by her Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Malki.</p>
<p>&#8220;I informed my Palestinian counterpart of the decision of the government to upgrade the status of the Palestinian diplomatic representation in Cyprus from that of a Diplomatic Mission to that of an Embassy of the State of Palestine,&#8221; Marcoullis told reporters.</p>
<p>She said this &#8220;important decision&#8221; was in line with the recognition of the Palestinian State in 1988 by Cyprus, and follows seven other EU members that have recognized a Palestinian State – Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.</p>
<p>A Cyprus Representation Office opened in Ramallah in the West Bank in 2009.</p>
<p>Malki said the decision sent a &#8220;very important message,&#8221; adding: &#8220;We hope this courageous step taken by Cyprus will be taken by others in the European Union.&#8221;</p>
<p>Palestinian Ambassador to Nicosia Walid Al-Hassan told AFP: &#8220;Now we have diplomatic representation in Cyprus like any other country in the world. This applies to our legal situation and the immunity which accompanies diplomatic status.&#8221;</p>
<p>On November 29, Cyprus also voted in favor of the successful Palestinian bid for upgraded UN General Assembly status.</p>
<p>&#8220;All official correspondence will now be done in the name of the State of Palestine. Cyprus is the first European state to upgrade Palestinian status since the UN vote,&#8221; Hassan said.</p>
<p>Marcoullis said Cyprus expressed &#8220;full support&#8221; for resolving concerns of Palestinian aspirations for statehood and sovereignty and those of Israel for security, through a comprehensive negotiated peace based on a two-state solution.</p>
<p>Nicosia backs an enhanced EU role in efforts for renewed and substantial peace efforts in 2013.</p>
<p>Cyprus has expressed &#8220;deep dismay and strong opposition&#8221; at controversial Israeli settlement plans for an area near annexed Arab east Jerusalem known as E1.</p>
<p>&#8220;The E1 plan, if implemented, would seriously undermine the prospects of a negotiated resolution of the conflict,&#8221; Marcoullis said.</p>
<p>(AFP)<br />
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