Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-04-27

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] GOVERNMENT - US - ATHENS

[02] EPP-ED GROUP - CYPRUS

[01] GOVERNMENT - US - ATHENS

``We are satisfied with the Greek position and the views expressed by Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyiannis,`` Government Spokesman George Lillikas said.

He also said he does not take for granted statements by Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul, who thanked Rice for the US help to Turkey on the Cyprus issue, noting that ``we are used to Turkish statements which do not reflect reality.``

Asked if he expects any problems at tonight`s dinner between EU and NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, given the fact that Gul has avoided in the past to attend gatherings at which his Cypriot counterpart was invited, Lillikas said ``it is up to Turkey to react if it so wishes and show once more its stance towards the EU.``

Invited to comment on reports that according to Rice the Cyprus issue and the Aegean issue are considered to be one package, the Spokesman said that there is no such official information on the behalf of the US, noting that neither Greece nor Cyprus have ever accepted such a linking of the two issues.

Responding to another question on the census which will be conducted in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus on 30 April, Lillikas said that it has ``no political validity`` for the Greek Cypriot side.

``Such a census in the occupied areas is something we would like to discuss on a technical level, to be conducted in the presence of representatives of the EU and other organisations so as to have objective and true data,`` he said.

[02] EPP-ED GROUP - CYPRUS

According to an EPP-ED Group press release, this was conveyed in a meeting yesterday evening in Brussels that Hans-Gert Poettering had with the Cypriot President of the House of Representatives Demetris Christofias.

The Chairman of the EPP-ED Group also expressed his satisfaction vis-a-vis Christofias about the cooperation he personally has with the DISY members (Democratic Rally of Cyprus) in the EPP-ED Group. He also pointed out that for the EPP-ED Group, the DISY members are the link to the House of Representatives of Cyprus.

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