Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-05-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT - CYPRUS PROBLEM

[02] EU COMMISSIONER - TURKEY - CYPRUS

[03] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL FAIR

[01] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT - CYPRUS PROBLEM

In his address as he inaugurated the 31st Cyprus International Fair, Papadopoulos also said that Cypriot businessmen would have achieved a lot more if the country were united and stressed the need for proper and sufficient preparation before talks could begin.

Reiterating his commitment to a bizonal bicommunal federal solution, Papadopoulos said he looks forward to seeing the ground being prepared for the resumption of talks, through the committees of experts which the two communities have agreed to set up to discuss technical matters.

Without serious preparation for discussion of the issues on a political level, it is neither possible nor feasible to resume a new round of negotiations for a solution, he stressed.

He said that discussion of daily issues and the creation of a good climate would be both helpful and desirable but a good climate cannot in itself solve political problems.

On the contrary, an effort just to ease the difficulties of the Turkish Cypriot community is facing in its goal to function as a separate entity will at the end of the day remove any incentive towards a solution and real reunification, the President added.

Concluding his reference to the political situation on the island, he said the criterion of the right solution is not just financial but without a sound economy there can be no basis for a successful continuation of the effort for a permanent, functional and viable settlement.

Cyprus has been divided since Turkish troops invaded in 1974. UN-led efforts to reunite the country have so far failed. The Republic joined the EU in May 2004 as a divided country with the implementation of the acquis communautaire being suspended in the northern Turkish occupied areas.

[02] EU COMMISSIONER - TURKEY - CYPRUS

According to EU sources, during a meeting he held last Friday in Brussels with Turkish State Minister for the Economy and Turkey`s Chief Negotiator with the EU Ali Babacan, Barrot asked Turkey to meet the commitments it has undertaken.

The French Commissioner reminded Ali Babacan of Turkeys obligation regarding the lifting of restrictions in the free movement of goods, including the transport sector.

[03] CYPRUS PRESIDENT - CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL FAIR

In his inaugural speech at the 31st Cyprus International Fair, Papadopoulos pledged support for private initiative, adding that the government aims to consolidate Cyprus as a regional business hub and a real bridge of peace and economic cooperation between Europe and the Middle East.

He described the Fair as the ultimate trade and economic event in Cyprus. He said it reflects commercial and financial development and achievements in industry, trade and the manufacturing sector.

A healthy, steady, strong and increasingly developing economy is not only a factor of progress and welfare for our people but it also serves as a safe foundation for our effort to reunite the people and the country, he said, as he welcomed Greek and Turkish Cypriot traders participating in the Fair, in addition to foreign businessmen.

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