Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-09-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT UNSG MEETING

[02] UN SG SPOKESMAN PAPADOPOULOS ANNAN MEETING

[03] CYPRUS UK HIGHER EDUCATION

[01] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT UNSG MEETING

In statements after the meeting Papadopoulos said he informed the UN SG that, according to latest information, the Turkish Cypriot side is likely to examine positively the proposals to set up the working groups.

``And we hope that this statement will not lead to new discussions on terms and details but will ultimately lead to the start of the committees operation soon,`` Papadopoulos added.

The Cypriot President said that he totally agrees with what Annan told him that ``there is no way for full talks to begin unless a good and in depth preparation of the issues of substance takes place, which will be the focus of the discussions,`` pointing out that ``Annan was categorical on this issue.

Papadopoulos thanked Annan ``for the efforts he made during his term to promote a Cyprus solution.``

The Cypriot President said we confirmed that we have different views on the plan`` which was submitted by the UN and was rejected by the Greek Cypriot community in simultaneous referenda in April 2004 and approved by the Turkish Cypriots.

Annan said, according to Papadopoulos that ``since the plan was rejected by one community, for me that was the end of it``.

The meeting is possibly the last between the two men, since Annan`s term as UN SG ends on December 31.

However, as the Cypriot President said, when he expressed hope to Annan that the two would meet again, the SG replied ``if an opportunity arises, why not.``

Asked whether he would accept Annan as a high level envoy on Cyprus, Papadopoulos expressed appreciation for the outgoing SGs efforts on Cyprus.

``Annan, as I said, with ample persistence and efforts tried to promote a Cyprus solution and his sincere efforts, despite the failure to reach the anticipated outcome, should be appreciated,`` Papadopoulos said.

UN Undersecretary-General for political Affairs, Ibrahim Gambari was also present at the meeting, while Papadopoulos also had a separate meeting with Gambari.

Replying to a question that the meeting with Gambari was related to the efforts by the UN to facilitate the process started after the July 8 agreement and the positive reply by the Turkish Cypriot side, Papadopoulos said that Gambari was present at the meeting with Annan and ``he heard the same thing that the working groups on issues of substance should be set up to prepare the ground, before a negotiating process on political level is attempted.``

President Papadopoulos and Talat agreed on July 8th 2006, during a meeting in the presence of Gambari, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

Following the agreement, senior aides of the two leaders in Cyprus, Tasos Tzionis and Rasit Pertev, began to work out the modalities for the implementation of the July agreement.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

[02] UN SG SPOKESMAN PAPADOPOULOS ANNAN MEETING

He said that Annan and Papadopoulos ``discussed Lebanon, and the Secretary-General thanked the President for his countrys role during the Lebanon crisis.``

[03] CYPRUS UK HIGHER EDUCATION

The agreement was the result of talks between Cypriot Minister of Education and Culture Pefkios Georgiades and UK Minister of State for Lifelong Learning and Higher Education Bill Rammel.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the Cypriot Minister said the agreement deals with issues related with quality assurance for higher education, research and development, leadership and professionalism in higher education, occupational and vocational standards for long life learning and school design and the learning environment.

Referring to the almost six thousand students from Cyprus studying at UK higher education institutions, reflecting a significant increase since Cyprus joined the EU, Rammel said those students contribute very significantly to the academic life in the UK.

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