Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-01-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] GOVERNMENT - CYPRUS PROBLEM

[02] T/C - ECHR

[03] EU - ACCIDENTS

[04] HOUSE PRESIDENT - CYPRUS-BULGARIA RELATIONS

[01] GOVERNMENT - CYPRUS PROBLEM

Pashiardes expressed the view that Turkeys traditional tactics to use Turkish elections as a pretext for avoiding any discussion on the Cyprus issue could raise doubts as to the possibility of the commencement of substantive negotiations in 2007.

``But these doubts, regardless how justified they are, will not reduce our efforts to promote the implementation of the July 8th agreement in 2007, he said, adding that ``it is up to Turkey to prove that the elections in the country this year would not constitute an impediment for the success of these efforts.

``On our side, there is no problem at all, to negotiate in 2007 a solution of the Cyprus problem, the Spokesman said.

Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on July 8, 2006, during a meeting in the presence of UN Undersecretary General for political affairs Ibrahim 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.

Invited to comment on a statement made by Ferdi Sabit Soyer, the so called prime minister of the Turkish occupation regime, that the Turkish Cypriots would proceed to all necessary political initiatives for the commencement of the work of the technical committees, Pashiardes described the statement as strange, saying that the implementation of the July 8th agreement constitutes an obligation and not a choice of the two sides in Cyprus.

According to Pashiardes, the only possible objective of Soyers statement, would be that when and if the technical committees and the teams of experts are established, as agreed upon by the July 8th agreement, to present this development as an initiative, or even as a retreat of the Turkish side.

Regarding Soyers statement that the United Nations could begin a negotiations process for a solution of the Cyprus problem in 2007, Pashiardes referred to the letter sent by UN Undersecretary for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari to both leaders on the island in which Gambari asks for a speed up of the procedure that was agreed on July 8th, and on the commencement of the work of the teams of experts and the technical committees during the first three months of 2007.

``So, you may consider it as certain and not just as an estimation, that the agreed procedure will be promoted, Pashiardes said, noting that ``the only thing that is not certain yet, is whether the Turkish side would contribute to the effectiveness of this procedure.

The Spokesman also called upon the Turkish Cypriot side to proceed to a dialogue through the UN for the opening of the Ledra street, adding that so far the Turkish Cypriots have not replied.

The only thing the Turkish occupation regime has stated so far, is its readiness to demolish just the footbridge, but at the same time it is aware that by just demolishing the bridge it is not possible to gain our consent for the opening of the Ledra street, he said.

Pashiardes said that what really interests the Turkish side is not the opening of the Ledra street, but the creation of impressions and of a pretext in order to blame the Greek Cypriot side.

[02] T/C - ECHR

It is impossible that the ECHR accepts the application of four Turkish Cypriots for the restitution of their property in Limassol since they have not exhausted the internal legal means of the Republic of Cyprus, Pashiardes stressed.

The Spokesman described the move of the four Turkish Cypriots as an effort to create diversion in the legal applications of Greek Cypriots at the ECHR.

[03] EU - ACCIDENTS

Speaking to CNA, Kyprianou said the problems caused by excessive consumption of alcohol in Cyprus is connected mainly with road accidents.

According to available figures, about one accident in four can be linked to alcohol consumption, and at least 10.000 people are killed in alcohol-related road accidents in the EU each year.

He also noted that young people in the EU are particularly at risk, as over 10% of female mortality and around 25% of male mortality in the 18-24 age group is related to hazardous alcohol consumption.

The figures show that each year excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for the death of 195.000 people throughout Europe. About 55 million adults consume far too much alcohol and excessive consumption is the cause of about 7,4% of health problems and premature deaths in the EU.

Kyprianou said the European Commission has adopted a proposal for a European strategy against the dangers caused by excessive consuming of alcohol which was approved unanimously by the Council of Health Ministers in December 2006.

[04] HOUSE PRESIDENT - CYPRUS-BULGARIA RELATIONS

In statements on his return from Bulgaria, where he attended celebrations for the country`s entry into the European Union, Christofias said he had the opportunity to meet with Bulgaria`s President and the Prime Minister with whom he exchanged views on the presence and future of the two countries` relations, adding that there is ``big desire and good will`` to further develop the relations between Cyprus and Bulgaria ``as it was before``.

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