I am pleased to announce that the Hon. Jim Short has been appointed Australia's new Special Envoy for Cyprus. Mr Short will take over this role from Mr John Spender, who recently completed his term as Australia's Ambassador to France.

Mr Short was until recently Australia's Executive Director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He had previously served as Assistant Treasurer and also as the Shadow Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, 1993-96.

Mr Short's principal responsibility as the Australian Special Envoy for Cyprus will be to support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General to broker a solution to the Cyprus problem.  Mr Short will consult widely within the Australian community on possible approaches to resolving the conflict and will convey Australia's views directly to the parties involved in the negotiations.  An important element of Mr Short's mission will be to encourage the parties to the conflict to cooperate with the United Nations Secretary-General in his efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement.

Mr Short will evaluate the situation on behalf of the Australian Government and identify ways in which Australia can further assist the search for a resolution of the Cyprus dispute.  Australia has strongly supported the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and others to broker a solution and provides practical assistance to relieving tensions on the island through the commitment of civilian police to the United Nations Force on Cyprus (UNFICYP).

I have regularly raised the issue in discussion with relevant international leaders and officials, including the UN Secretary-General, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Cypriot leaders and members and representatives of the European Union and EU members governments.

Australia is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes, to the support of the peacekeeping and conflict resolution work of the United Nations and to the observance of international law.  Australia also has a humanitarian interest in the resolution of the Cyprus dispute due to the involvement of its large communities of Cypriot, Greek and Turkish origin.  Australia remains keen to assist in the search for a just and lasting settlement on Cyprus to the benefit of all parties.

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